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Tonometry

Tonometry is a procedure performed by eye care professionals to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) inside the eye. IOP is an important test in evaluating patients at risk for glaucoma. Tonometers are calibrated to measure pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The most common type is the Goldman tonometer, which uses a small probe pressed onto the eye to measure pressure. Other methods include non-contact tonometry using an air puff and electronic tonometry using a handheld device.

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122 views4 pages

Tonometry

Tonometry is a procedure performed by eye care professionals to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) inside the eye. IOP is an important test in evaluating patients at risk for glaucoma. Tonometers are calibrated to measure pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The most common type is the Goldman tonometer, which uses a small probe pressed onto the eye to measure pressure. Other methods include non-contact tonometry using an air puff and electronic tonometry using a handheld device.

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julian .77
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Tonometry

Tonometry is the procedure eye care professionals perform to


determine the intraocular pressure (IOP), the fluid pressure inside the
eye. It is an important test in the evaluation of patients at risk from
glaucoma. Most tonometers are calibrated to measure pressure in
millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

 Intraocular pressure slowly rises within creasing age, just


as glaucoma becomes more prevalent as you get older.
Being older than age 40 is considered to be a risk factor for
the development of both ocular hyper tens and primary
open-angle glaucoma. Elevated pressure in a young person
is a cause of concern
 A tonometer is an instrument that determines intraocular
pressure (IOP) by measuring the resistance of your cornea to
indentation. Your eye doctor may use one of several methods to
measure the pressure inside your eye.

1. Goldman Tonometry
The most common tonometer that eye care practitioners use is the Goldman applanation tonometer as
manufactured by Zeiss. A Goldman tonometer is usually attached to a slit lamp microscope. Anesthetic
eye drops are instilled into your eyes, followed by a small amount of fluorescein dye. A cobalt blue light
then illuminates the flurorescein and the tonometer. A small probe is gently pressed onto your eye,
indenting the cornea. The pressure that the cornea pushes back onto the tonometer is measured in
millimeters of mercury, giving your eye doctor a number to record and compare to from year to year.

2. Non-Contact tonometry
Non-contact tonometry (NCT) is commonly referred to as the "air puff" test. Many people prefer this
type of tonometry because it does not involve touching the eye. Instead, a gentle puff of air is used to
flatten the cornea. NCT tonometry is not considered as accurate as Goldman tonometry but provides a

very useful and speedy way of measuring eye pressure in children or sensitive adults.
3. Electronic Tonometry

Electronic tonometry refers to a handheld, mobile device that your eye doctor can carry from
room to room to check eye pressure. Resembling a writing pen, the mobile tonometer is gently
and quickly applied to your cornea. Your doctor will probably obtain about three readings in
order to obtain an accurate measurement. Electronic tonometry is not considered as reliable or
as accurate as Goldman tonometry but is extremely handy for a busy practitioner.

Remember !

If you have a tonometry check you mustn’t drink alcohol drinks for 12
before the tonometry test. And it’s advisable to not drink more than
tow cup of water within four hours before the test, to get more
accurate results.
 The perfect IOP is 20-10 mmHg
 The high IOP is more than 21 mmHg and that indicates the
possibility of glaucoma.
 May results of high IOP inside the eye at low rates cancerous
tumors inside the eyeball

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