Ace the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Exam 2025 – Eye-Opener Prep for Your Bright Future!

Estimating central corneal thickness is most commonly done through ultrasound pachymetry. This method involves using ultrasound waves to measure the distance from the surface of the cornea to its innermost layer, allowing for a precise assessment of corneal thickness. It is considered the gold standard for this measurement because it provides accurate readings and has been extensively validated in clinical practice.

While applanation tonometry is primarily used to measure intraocular pressure, it does not provide direct measurements of corneal thickness. Retinal imaging focuses on visualizing the retina and its structures, and a slit-lamp examination is mostly used for assessing the overall health of the eye and its anterior segment but is not a reliable method for measuring corneal thickness directly. Thus, ultrasound pachymetry stands out as the specialized technique designed specifically for this purpose.