What is the purpose of the air puff?

When preserving our vision, early detection and management of eye diseases is critical. One such disease is glaucoma, often referred to as the "silent thief of sight" due to its gradual and painless progression. Regular eye exams play a crucial role in detecting glaucoma, as one aspect of an eye exam is measuring intraocular pressure (IOP), a key indicator for glaucoma. In this blog post, we will explore three commonly used methods for measuring IOP: the air puff (non-contact) tonometry, Goldmann tonometry, and the iCare tonometer. Understanding these techniques will shed light on how eye care professionals assess your eye health. Let's dive in!

Air Puff (Non-Contact) Tonometry:

The air puff tonometry is a non-invasive method used to estimate IOP. It involves a quick puff of air directed at the cornea to calculate the pressure inside the eye. The machine measures the force required to flatten the cornea and provides a pressure reading. This method is painless and does not require any eye drops or direct contact with the eye, however, for many patients, waiting for the air to puff can be a source of anxiety.

Benefits of Air Puff Tonometry:

Non-invasive and painless procedure.
Quick and convenient for both patients and eye care professionals.
Suitable for individuals who may be sensitive to direct contact or anesthesia.

Disadvantages of Air Puff Tonometry:

Can induce anxiety in some patients
Not as accurate as other available methods
Easily influenced by patient squeezing eye in anticipation

Goldmann Applanation Tonometry:

Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) is considered the gold standard for measuring IOP. This method involves a gentle applanation tonometer, which is a small instrument with a flat cone-shaped tip. Our optometrist applies a small amount of anesthetic eye drops to numb the eye and then gently touches the tip of the tonometer to the cornea. The IOP is determined by the force required to flatten the cornea.

Benefits of GAT:

Accurate and widely recognized as the standard for IOP measurement.
Provides reliable and repeatable results, especially in cases where corneal thickness may affect readings.
Allows for more precise monitoring and management of conditions like glaucoma.

Disadvantages of GAT:

Requires use of ophthalmic anesthetic drops and dye.
While it doesn’t hurt, the patient will see the cone-shaped tip come close to their eye

iCare Tonometer:

The iCare tonometer is another non-contact method for measuring IOP, and the one most frequently performed at Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear. It is a handheld device that uses a small, lightweight probe to lightly touch the cornea. The iCare tonometer measures IOP by recording the extent of the corneal response to the probe's touch.

Benefits of iCare Tonometer:

Gentle and comfortable procedure, the patient feels as if it is “tickling the eyelashes”.
Does not require anesthetic eye drops or direct contact with the eye.
Not as anxiety producing as the air puff.

Disadvantages of iCare Tonometer:

Must get close to the eye.
Not as accurate as Goldmann Tonometry.

Measuring intraocular pressure is a vital component of comprehensive eye exams, particularly for diagnosing and managing conditions like glaucoma. The air puff tonometry, Goldmann tonometry, and iCare tonometer are three commonly used techniques for assessing IOP. The choice of method may depend on factors such as patient comfort, clinical requirements, and the eye care professional's preference.

At Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear, our experienced team is committed to providing thorough eye exams and using the most advanced diagnostic tools to ensure accurate assessments of your eye health. In other words, no more air puff. If you have concerns about intraocular pressure or wish to schedule an eye exam, please don't hesitate to contact us and together, we can help preserve your Sight To See.

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