Business Hours

Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday - 8.30am to 4.00pm

About Tonometry

A tonometry test measures the pressure inside your eye, which is called intraocular pressure (IOP). This test is used to check for glaucoma, an eye disease that can cause blindness by damaging the nerve in the back of the eye (optic nerve). Damage to the optic nerve may be caused by a buildup of fluid that does not drain properly out of the eye.

Why it is done

Tonometry may be done:

• As part of a regular eye examination to check for increased intraocular pressure (IOP), which increases your risk of glaucoma.
• To check the treatment for glaucoma. Tonometry can be used to see if medicine is keeping your IOP below a certain target pressure set by your doctor.

The tonometry test

The tonometry test is a standard part of your regular eye examination at Heming Scott & Donald. Tonometry measures IOP by recording the resistance of your cornea to pressure. We use the latest non-contact tonometer to measure the pressure in the eyes for glaucoma assessment.

While sitting, you place your chin in a rest while looking straight ahead. You will experience a very small pulse of air that is hardly felt; there is no discomfort involved. You may hear a puffing sound and feel a coolness or mild pressure on your eye.

The tonometer records the intraocular pressure from the change in light reflected off the cornea as it is indented by the air puff. No object touches the eye, reducing the chances of potential disease transmission.