rebound tonometer for glaucoma tests?

bethievt · 11-18-2012, 02:22 PM

I have some family history of glaucoma, so I get tested every year. I really dislike the eye puffs and the drops my Dr used. I see an ad for another local Dr who has a new rebound tonometer that measures intraocular pressure without the air puffs or drops. I really like my eye Dr and don't want to switch, but I hate the puffs and drops and felt a little unsafe driving home afterward and felt dizzy and couldn't read for hours. does anyone know if this tonometer is as accurate at measuring IOP?

lotsofquests · 11-18-2012, 03:04 PM

I, too, have high eye pressure which has increased to the point that I now am using eye drops. I don't know the name of the test that my doctor uses but it looks like what I saw when I googled rebound tonometer. My eye is numbed and the dr. uses what looks like a mini light saber to test the pressure. I have been going to this dr for 25 years and I have never had anything done that sounds like an eye puff. I have a check up next week to see if the drops are working. I will ask him what he uses to test. You will probably get an answer before then from the knowledgable people of CC but I am now curious.

bethievt · 11-18-2012, 03:25 PM

It says in this ad that they didn't need to use anesthetic eye drops with this machine.

BunsenBurner · 11-18-2012, 04:21 PM

Is this the equipment advertised? Icare tonometers - Icare Tonometer in USA

Quote:

From skepticism to amazed acceptance

Two US specialists, who recently published the Clinical Guide to Ophthalmic Drugs, now recommend the Icare tonometer to all their colleagues. Ron Melton, O.D. and Randall Thomas, O.D. have both replaced the use of all Air-Puff tonometers with the easy Icare routine in their practice. We asked them: Why?
.... [read the rest in the above shown link]...

bethievt · 11-18-2012, 04:48 PM

BunsenBurner--yes, this looks like the same machine, only one that people can use at home. Sounds impressive.

thumper1 · 11-18-2012, 04:58 PM

I have glaucoma also. No "puff" testing done here either. More
Like a bright light shining in my eye. Drops are used but they are anesthetic, and don't cause a problem for me.

bethievt · 11-18-2012, 07:23 PM

thumper, you don't have trouble driving after the drops? I felt I couldn't focus and my son did too, but maybe that was from pupil dilation drops.

thumper1 · 11-18-2012, 07:32 PM

Pupil dilation drops are not my favorite. I always bring my sunglasses with me when I go to the eye doc. I've been there EIGHT times since July...and no...whatever drops they use to check my IOC don't really bother me!

Fellow glaucoma folks...any suggestions what I can take for to prevent motion sickness on my upcoming cruise? Sorry to highjack the thread but folks in the know are posting here!

bethievt · 11-18-2012, 07:42 PM

My H uses some kind of wristband. Doesn't have glaucoma, but does get motion sickness. It is fine for you to highjack this thread.

ready2010 · 11-18-2012, 11:30 PM

My doctor uses the bright light with the anesthetic drops too. These drops don't affect my vision like the dilation drops. I have a family history of glaucoma but so far my pressure has been fine. I have narrow angles though and had a laser treatment a few years ago to put a small hole in each iris (laser iridotomy) to prevent pressure buildup.

bethievt · 11-18-2012, 11:45 PM

I love my Dr and don't want to change, but I think I need to call his office.

SimpleRules · 11-19-2012, 09:03 AM

bethievt - I would think it is the dilation drops that are bothering you. The drops to anesthetize the eye for the pressure test 'shouldn't cause trouble. Due to a genetic eye condition I have been having my eyes tested since I was a teen. I also have elevated eye pressure which is treated by my local doctor, since I drive to that appt. I request no dilation drops - my chart says I 'refuse' treatment - lol.
My super duper specialist does everything else and I do not drive to that appt. If I had to I would need to wait several hours before I could safely drive and wear the dark glasses.

Bromfield · 11-19-2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

I have narrow angles though and had a laser treatment a few years ago to put a small hole in each iris (laser iridotomy) to prevent pressure buildup.

I had the same procedure. The thought of it scared me to death, but it was really pretty easy. Didn't take long and it worked like a charm. Pressure went way down and has stayed that way for a couple of years.

bethievt · 11-19-2012, 09:48 AM

It must be the dilation drops that bother me. I don't like the air puffs, but I can tolerate them.

Bromfield--nice to hear that the procedure you had was ok and worked. It would scare me too!

leslielou · 11-19-2012, 10:15 AM

You should also ask your current doctor if they have another method of testing for pressure.

I have had thyroid eye disease with high pressure readings. The ophthalmologist uses the blue light machine (with numbing drops - no dilation drops). They recently added the tonal machine and I like that one a little better - it seems easier for the technician to use.

My optometrist uses the air puff. When I had different readings, I asked the optometrist if it was due to the different methods and she said she didn't think so, but turns out she also had the blue light machine in the office and we did the readings again using that. The readings were the same using the two methods (just more healing had occurred since my last visit). As an optometrist, she said for most patients the air puff test is sufficient and it does not require the numbing drops.