Tonometry

Glaucoma Screening Test

Risks

There is a very slight risk that your cornea may be scratched during the methods that involve touching a tonometer to your eye. Rubbing your eyes before the anesthesia wears off increases the risk of scratching the cornea. If tonometry causes a scratch on the cornea, your eye may be uncomfortable until the scratch heals, which normally takes about a day.

There is also a very small risk of an eye infection or an allergic reaction to the eyedrops used to numb your eyes.

With the air-puff (non-contact) method, there is no risk of scratches or infection, since nothing but air touches your eyes. However, this method is not the best way to measure intraocular pressure.

You should not have any eye pain or vision problems after tonometry. Call your doctor if you feel any eye pain during the test or for 48 hours after the test.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: August 22, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Ian MacDonald, MDCM, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
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