Hand tonometers are employed by doctors to determine the pressure of a person's eye. Such measurements are used to diagnose and monitor conditions such as glaucoma, which can result in irreversible vision loss if not properly treated. The device would, therefore, be applied to the cornea and the tonometer is capable of measuring the resistance of the eye for determining intra-ocular pressure. Doctors use this information to plan treatment and track the progression of eye disease.
Some tonometers use anesthetic eye drops to numb the eye before measurement, whereas others can be used without anesthetics. Each type of tonometer has its pros and cons, so choosing the best hand-held tonometer should be predicated by what will work for you as a practitioner, but more importantly, the patient in terms of his/her circumstances can have an impact on the choice between Perkins vs Tonopen. Health care professionals need to be trained to measure IOP with a hand tonometer for consistent and accurate results in clinical settings.
As with all medical equipment, hand-held tonometers may experience problems with normal use. Typical touch panel problems include the touch panel not being read, inaccurate readings, inability to measure and malfunctions. In order to tackle these concerns, health care professionals need to adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations for calibration and maintenance. Prevent contamination and inaccurate readings by performing regular cleanings and inspections of your tonometer.
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a hand-held tonometer such as portability, the degree of accuracy, if calibration is necessary, and compatibility with other ophthalmic equipment. Some of the tonometers also will have other features such as digital readouts, automatic measurement functions, and ergonomic design for increased ease of use. By talking with colleagues and experts, including comparing top brands and models available on the market, medical professionals can make educated choices of a hand tonometer for their practice.
Due to an increasing demand and offer for ophthalmic/optometric equipment, there is also more options in the types of batter brands and models of hand tonometers which are currently available in the market. Instruments such as those manufactured by Hongdee – a company that have consistently developed easy to use and reliable tonometers – with which all types of practitioners can find a suitable level. Models such as the HD-1000 Handheld Tonometer and the HD-2000 Portable Tonometer, are some of the best devices used in eye pressure measurement.
Other popular hand tonometer brands on the market are Tono-Pen, Reichert and Keeler. Both brands provide their own unique attributes including bluetooth transmition, advanced calibration solutions and ergonimical designs. The brand, customer testimonials and technical support are some of the consideration they take into account among other factors when buying a hand tonometer for their office to use. Healthcare professionals are advised to keep up-to-date on current methods and technologies for tonometry, in order to provide the best care and accurate diagnosis possible.
Hand-held tonometers can be readily used by experienced medical staff, however skill and calibration are necessary for an accurate measurement. With appropriate training and experience, intraocular pressure measurement with the hand tonometer is quick and reliable for healthcare workers. Furthermore, routine maintenance, calibration checks and troubleshoot issues that can be encountered during clinical use.