The Tonomat: A Unique Approach to Measuring Eye Pressure
What is the Tonomat?
The Tonomat is a special type of applanation tonometer that eye doctors use to measure the pressure inside your eye. Unlike other tonometers, the Tonomat uses a clever method involving paper to calculate eye pressure.
How Does the Tonomat Work?
First, the doctor gently touches a small, flat tip to the surface of your eye. This flattens a tiny area of your cornea, which is the clear front part of your eye. When the tip touches your eye, it creates a small wet spot from your tears.
Next, the doctor presses the wet tip onto a special piece of paper. This transfers the wet spot from your eye onto the paper. The size of this wet spot is crucial for measuring your eye pressure.
Calculating Eye Pressure
After that, the doctor measures the size of the wet spot on the paper. The larger the wet spot, the lower your eye pressure. Conversely, a smaller wet spot indicates higher pressure inside your eye.
Finally, the doctor uses a special chart or calculation to convert the size of the wet spot into a pressure reading. This gives them an accurate measurement of your eye pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Advantages of the Tonomat
The Tonomat offers several benefits. For instance, it doesn’t require electricity or batteries, making it portable and easy to use in various settings. Additionally, the paper provides a permanent record of the measurement, which can be helpful for tracking changes over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Tonomat represents an innovative approach to measuring eye pressure. By using a simple wet spot on paper, eye doctors can gather important information about your eye health. While newer digital methods exist, the Tonomat remains a reliable and straightforward tool in the world of eye care.
Citations:
[1] https://eyewiki.org/IOP_and_Tonometry
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK582132/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493225/
[4] https://entokey.com/intraocular-pressure/
[5] https://www.eyenews.uk.com/education/top-tips/post/step-by-step-guide-to-mastering-skills-with-the-goldmann-applanation-tonometer
[6] https://www.aao.org/Assets/510c8531-3468-4bd8-ab46-2a22adfc2aec/637242017309270000/g9u-pdf?inline=1
[7] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2206330/
[8] https://keelerusa.com/pub/media/productattachments/files/e/p/ep59-70026-art-6_english.pdf
This is from about 1967. This is a form of applanation tonometer where the cornea is applanated and the wet spot on the tip is transferred to paper. The paper is measured and the pressure calculated.
