Tonometry

Tonometry
A standard eye test that determines the fluid pressure inside the eye. Increased pressure is a possible sign of glaucoma, a common and potentially very serious eye problem if not detected and treated promptly. It is recommended that adults over age 40 have tonometry for glaucoma every 3 to 5 years by having their eye pressures measured. The pressure inside the eye is measured from the outside. In most cases, the pressure can be measured without anything actually touching the eye. The patient looks up close at an instrument that blows a small puff of air into the eye and then uses a special kind of sensor (like a tiny radar detector) to detect the amount of indentation that the air puff causes on the surface of the eye. This indentation is normal and only lasts for a fraction of a second. If patients need to have their eye pressure measured when this type of machine is not available (as in an emergency room), the pressure can be measured with an instrument resembling a pen. One end of the instrument is placed on the surface of the eyeball. This feels like having a contact lens put in the eye. However, tonometry does
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to·nom·e·try (to-nomґə-tre) [tono- + -metry] the measurement of tension or pressure, particularly intraocular pressure.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tonometry — To*nom e*try, n. The act of measuring with a tonometer; specifically (Med.), measurement of tension, esp. the tension of the eyeball. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tonometry — In music, a tonometer is an instrument used to determine the pitch or vibration rate of tones, such as a tuning fork. Tonometry is the measurement of tension or pressure [http://www.mercksource.org/pp/us/cns/cns hl… …   Wikipedia

  • tonometry — noun see tonometer …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tonometry — See tonometric. * * * …   Universalium

  • tonometry — noun The measurement of tension or pressure. See Also: tonometer, tonometric …   Wiktionary

  • tonometry — n. measurement of sound; measurement of pressure, measurement of tension …   English contemporary dictionary

  • tonometry — to·nom·e·try …   English syllables

  • tonometry — noun the measurement of intraocular pressure by determining the amount of force needed to make a slight indentation in the cornea • Hypernyms: ↑measurement, ↑measuring, ↑measure, ↑mensuration * * * tōˈnämə.trē noun ( es) Etymology …   Useful english dictionary

  • Ocular tonometry — This article is about Ocular tonometry. For Gastric Tonometry, see Gastric tonometry. Ocular tonometry Intervention A patient in front of a tonometer ICD 9 CM …   Wikipedia

  • digital tonometry — estimation of the degree of intraocular pressure by pressure exerted on the eyeball by the finger of the examiner …   Medical dictionary

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