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Pneumatic (noncontact) tonometry is a method for measuring intraocular pressure used in ophthalmic practice and carried out by a non-contact method.

This is the simplest and fastest way to measure IOP using a tonometer, which supplies compressed air to the surface of the eyeball and fixes the changes and deformations of the shell of the organ of vision that has occurred as a result of this effect. Pneumotonometry in ophthalmology is one of the most accessible diagnostic methods. It is often used in complex research, in the course of identifying diseases of the visual system. For patients who are over 40 years old, the measurement of intraocular pressure is a mandatory annual procedure. If the result obtained is higher than the norm with pneumotonometry of the eye, the ophthalmologist necessarily prescribes a number of other, more informative examinations.

The advantage of this method of IOP research is that it is non-contact, which means that the risk of developing infection or injury to the eyeball, due to the study, is reduced to almost zero.

Until now, the disadvantage of pneumotonometry was the accuracy of the measurement. Due to individual anatomical features (thickness and elasticity of the cornea) the readings may differ from the average (“normal”) values. In addition, during the study, the patient can strain the muscles of the eyeball and eyelids, which exerts additional external pressure on the eye and lead to an increase in IOP values. Therefore, when fixing abnormal pressure levels, it was recommended to re-examine the pressure using the Maklakov contact method.

huvitz hnt 7000 tonometer 254x300 1

But, in our clinic, the latest models of HUVITZ pneumotonometers are installed, which automatically take into account all errors associated with the central thickness of the cornea and the individual structure of the patient’s palpebral fissure.

How is the pneumotonometry procedure carried out

The procedure for this diagnostic eye examination is carried out in a matter of seconds in an automated mode. The patient fixes his head in a special apparatus, and with wide eyes, fixing his gaze looks at the burning point. Air jets are pulsed from the apparatus (a feeling of pops is created), under the influence of these flows, the shape of the cornea changes (as the air pressure acts on the eye). After that, the computer analyzes the data obtained and gives the study data to the doctor in the form of a printout.

Noncontact tonometry is one of the easiest ways to diagnose increased intraocular pressure and prevent glaucoma.

It should be noted that the measurement of intraocular pressure is a mandatory research method in all patients who undergo a preventive examination or go to an ophthalmologist for any reason, especially if the patient is over 40 years old since this method is important for the prevention of glaucoma and other diseases of the visual system.

It should be said that the results of only this method for determining IOP do not allow the doctor to diagnose glaucoma, this requires additional studies: perimetry, tomography, optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve head (OCT), ultrasound biomicroscopy of the eye, samples with medicines. All these types of diagnostics are available in our center.

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