IOP / Tonometry



Intraocular pressure (IOP)

  • = fluid pressure of the eye
  • IOP = (F/C) + P where
    • F = aqueous flow rate
    • C = aqueous outflow
    • P = episcleral venous pressure

Normal IOP = 11-21mmHg

  • Important in glaucoma, uveitis, retinal detachment
  • Acute ↑IOP → retinal ischaemia
  • Chronic ↑IOP → 1° open-angle glaucoma (POAG)
  • ↓IOP (globe rupture) →retinal detachment

Anatomy

  • Aqueous is produced by the ciliary epithelium of iris ciliary body in post. chamber
  • It then flows through the pupil into the Ant. chamber via:
    • Most via trabecular meshwork at the angle of the anterior chamber → Schlemm canal → episcleral veins
    • Some into venous circ. via ciliary body, choroid, & sclera
    • Via iris back into the posterior chamber
  • Sympathetic Βeta-2 ↑ secretion of aqueous
  • Sympathetic Αlpha-2 ↓ secretion
  • Prolonged ↑ IOP → glaucomatous optic neuropathy

iCare200 use

  1. Press the Select or Measure btn to turn tonometer on
  2. Open the probe tube by removing the cap and tip the probe into the probe base – it will magnetically hold
  3. Ensure the forehead support is fully extended by turning the adjustment wheel
  4. Bring the tonometer in front of the eye until the support touches the forehead. Keep the probe horizontal and pointing perpendicularly to the central cornea
  5. Adjust the probe-cornea distance by turning the forehead support wheel; the distance should be about 5 mm
  6. IOP can be measured in the supine or upright positions
  7. Probe will contact the eye during measurements
  8. Press and hold the Measure button to collect 6 measurements in a row. The grey segments of a circle on the display screen will turn blue one by one:
    • LONG BEEP = six good measurements: IOP shown
    • SHORT BEEP = correct single measurement
    • DOUBLE BEEP = incorrect single measurement
  9. Normal IOP: 11 - 21 mmHg
  10. Discard the probe into a sharps bin
  11. Replace tonometer into its metal case & lock back inside its safe. Tonometer (iCare200) is kept locked in a safe above the VBG machines opposite Procedure Room 3. Yellow key for safe is kept with resus drug keys

Practical

The IC200 can be used in 200 degrees measurement angle; the patient can be upright, supine or lateral recumbent or any position in between.

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Tonometry CUH

  • Tonometer (iCare200) is in a metal case in the CDU DD drug cupboard
  • Used by EM Consultant, ANP, Reg
  • Use (video) for IOP measurement in:
    • Suspicious headache
    • Eye trauma
    • Suspected acute glaucoma


Content by Dr Finn Coulter. Last review Dr ÍOS Dr Finn Coulter 20/09/23.