RT Book, Section
A1 Reichman, Eric F.
SR Print(0)
ID 57716870
T1 Chapter 156. Intraocular Pressure Measurement (Tonometry)
T2 Emergency Medicine Procedures, 2e
YR 2013
FD 2013
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-161352-1
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57716870
RD 2024/04/20
AB This  chapter  is  designed  to  help  the  Emergency  Physician  know  when  it  is  necessary  to  measure  intraocular  pressure  (IOP)  and  reviews  several  reliable  methods  of  tonometry  to  measure  IOP.  There  are  multiple  traumatic,  pathologic,  and  postsurgical  causes  of  altered  IOP.  The  clinical  signs  and  symptoms  of  elevated  IOP  are  similar  regardless  of  the  etiology.  Digital  palpation  is  the  oldest  and  simplest  form  of  tonometry  and  remains  useful  in  select  situations.  Schiøtz  indentation  tonometry  is  discussed  for  historical  purposes  but  is  still  an  accurate  method  to  measure  IOP.  The  nonportable  Goldmann  or  applanation  tonometer  serves  as  the  standard  for  measuring  accurate  IOP.  It  requires  the  use  of  a  slit  lamp  and  can  be  difficult  to  master.  The  handheld  Perkins  and  Kowa  tonometers  are  based  on  the  same  principle  as  the  Goldmann  and  require  experience  to  use  effectively.  The  electronic  Tono-Pen  is  best  known  to  most  Emergency  Physicians  and  is  discussed  at  length.  It  is  useful  to  become  comfortable  with  one  or  more  of  these  techniques  because  early  detection  of  abnormal  IOP  can  prevent  irreversible  vision  loss.