Tonometry

Glaucoma Screening Test

How To Prepare

Tell your doctor if you or someone in your family has glaucoma or risk factors for glaucoma.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before the test. Do not put your contacts back in for 2 hours after the test. Bring your eyeglasses to wear after the test until you can wear your contact lenses.

Loosen or remove any tight clothing around your neck. Pressure on the veins in your neck can increase the pressure inside your eyes. Stay relaxed.

Numbing eyedrops are used for the methods that use a tonometer to touch your eye. You will not feel the tonometer touch your eye. No numbing eyedrops are needed when an air-puff (noncontact) tonometer is used.

Results from tonometry are most accurate when you:

• Do not drink more than 2 cups (473 mL) of fluid 4 hours before the test.
• Do not drink alcohol for 12 hours before the test.
• Do not smoke marijuana for 24 hours before the test.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jeannette Curtis	Last Updated: April 8, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.