
What do you need to know about Pentacam AXL Wave investigations?
The Pentacam AXL Wave is a multifunctional device used to perform a variety of investigations on the anterior segment of the eye. It is used to diagnose and monitor the evolution of certain eye diseases, as well as for investigations prior to cataract, diopter reduction, glaucoma or keratoconus surgery.
It is the first device to combine Scheimpflug tomography with axial length, total wavefront, refraction and retroillumination for optimal investigation! The Scheimpflug principle was first introduced by Theodor Scheimpflug, an Austrian cartographer. According to it, it is possible to photograph and evaluate a tilted oblique lens with maximum clarity and minimum distortion.
The name Pentacam derives from the multifunctional ability of this device to perform five different measurements for the anterior segment of the eye: pachymetry, corneal topography, anterior and posterior corneal curvature, corneal astigmatism and Scheimpflug images of the lens.
Pentacam® Tomography technology measures, displays and analyses the anterior segment of the eye and is contactless and tear film independent.
Objective refraction – The most crucial parameter, based on wavefront aberrometry – pre- and post-operative. Total wavefront aberrometry and objective refraction allow the assessment, documentation and presentation of vision quality after cataract or refractive surgery. These rapid processes help facilitate ongoing IOL optimization.
Whole-eye wavefront aberrometry – low and high order aberrations of the whole eye are measured using Hartman-Shack technology. Internal and total corneal aberrometry is also displayed for detailed evaluation of the lens or IOL.
Optical biometry – contactless axial length measurements with proven accuracy.
Retroillumination – For evaluation of lens opacities and post-operative verification of IOL position. Implemented retroillumination allows convenient verification of IOL inclination and centration, especially toric IOLs. Integrated technology helps improve post-operative results if needed.
What does Pentacam AXL Wave investigation involve?
The Pentacam AXL Wave is the latest and most versatile device, incorporating intuitive clinical study-based reporting with guaranteed network compatibility and full operability of all Pentacam software and examinations.
Investigations performed with PENTACAM AXL Wave are vision-friendly, have a very short execution time, are painless and the result is immediately available. With a very short exposure time, the device can provide a highly accurate diagnosis of the entire anterior segment of the eye and is called the “Gold Standard” in anterior topography and tomography.
Intuitive guidance allows you to examine both eyes in less than five minutes. These new hardware and software features allow optical analysis of the performance of the total cornea, total eye and implanted lens or IOL. In addition, the Pentacam AXL Wave comes with a comprehensive, clearly arranged display showing all parameters for corneal screening, IOL power selection, IOL power calculation, ICL selection and calculation, and pupil diameter under darkness and dark conditions. The results obtained are used in numerous clinical applications such as refractive corneal surgery, refractive lens surgery, presbyopia solutions and standard cataract surgery.
What disorders can Pentacam AXL Wave investigations diagnose?
With Pentacam we can perform a number of essential investigations:
- Topographies of the anterior part of the eye
- Ophthalmological tomography
- Optical biometry
- Aberrometry of the whole eye
- Autorefractometry
- Retroillumination
Pentacam analyses the center of the cornea, providing precise corneal topographic measurements prior to refractive surgery. Pentacam is an indispensable tool for pre- and post-refractive surgery corneal assessment.
Pentacam can accurately identify cases of ectasia and forme fruste keratoconus.
Pentacam is used in pre- and post-operative monitoring of IOL artificial lens implant surgery cases, as well as in keratoconus and glaucoma screening.