Definition | Reasons for Test | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor

Definition

Pressure in the eye is called intraocular pressure (IOP). Tonometry tests the amount of pressure in the eye.

Reasons for Test

Elevated eye pressure can lead to eye damage. This may be part of a disease called glaucoma. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. Tonometry is used to screen for glaucoma. It is also used to monitor the treatment of glaucoma.

You may have ocular hypertension. This happens when pressure is elevated but is not caused by glaucoma.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma
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Possible Complications

There are no major complications associated with this procedure.

What to Expect

There are two main types of tonometry: the noncontact (air puff) method and the applanation (flattening of the cornea with pressure) method. The type of tonometry that is done will depend on the equipment your doctor has and the type of test he or she decides to do.

You may be asked to remove corrective lenses, such as contacts.

For both methods, you will be asked to sit in an exam chair. You may be asked to place your chin in a special cradle and rest your forehead against a bar. The chin cup and forehead rest will balance and steady your head.

You will be asked to look into an instrument. A puff of air will be blown into the eye. No instruments come in contact with the eye.

Your doctor will place anesthetic drops in your eyes before the test. This will numb your eye. Your doctor may also place a small amount of an orange dye into your eye. When your head is balanced and steady, you will be asked to look into an instrument with a blue light. A probe will push against your eye. How hard the probe has to push lets the doctor know how much pressure is in the eye. This test does not hurt because the eye is numb. This test is considered the most accurate method of checking pressure.

Another method of applanation tonometry is the use of a handheld device shaped like a pen. The doctor will touch this device against the front of your eye to get pressure readings. Again, it does not hurt because the eye is numb.

There are other devices that are used to check eye pressure. The ones listed above are the most common.

The numbing drops and dye wear off in about 20 minutes. It is important not to rub your eye while it is numb.

A few seconds

This test is painless. Some people do experience a slight sting or tingling due to the anesthetic drops.

If you are having the procedure for glaucoma screening, your doctor will discuss the results with you and determine treatment options, if needed.

If you are having the procedure to monitor an existing diagnosis of glaucoma, your doctor will determine if your current care is helping to lower your eye pressure.

Call Your Doctor

After the test, call your doctor if you have any of the following eye discomforts:

  • Burning
  • Excessive itching
  • Swelling
  • Pink or reddish color that does not go away
  • Decreased vision
  • Any other eye problem

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.