A tonometry test estimates the pressure inside your eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP), to check for glaucoma.
The disease is caused by the slow drainage of the fluid that normally bathes and nourishes the eye; causing a pressure build-up. If untreated, the pressure may damage the optic nerve causing blindness. As these eye changes are often painless and have no symptoms, they can persist for years undetected. Most health screening centers used air-puff tonometry to measure.
There is no preparation needed before the test. Avoid wearing clothes with a tight collar during the test as pressure around your neck from your clothes can increase your intraocular pressure readings.
It does not touch your eye but uses a puff of air to flatten your cornea. The patient is seated with the chin resting on the device. The operator activates the air puff mechanism while aligning the focus to the patient’s eye through the tonometer monitor.
Air puff tonometer is a preliminary way to measure IOP. If high pressure is detected using this method, it is advisable to consult a specialist to check further. The process should not hurt, if you experience pain during the test do inform your eye care specialist.
Your healthcare provider will be able to tell you the reading right after the test is conducted. If you received anaesthetic eye drops, do not let anything touch your eyes until the anaesthetic wears off.
Should you feel unwell, contact your doctor immediately or call our 24-HR Medical Urgency Clinic.
