1:30min
By Helen Carter
Journalist
Advice on how optometrists can best use their tonometer has been revised and updated to ensure best practice when measuring intraocular pressure.
Optometry Australia’s national clinical policy adviser, optometrist Simon Hanna, reviewed the previous guidelines from 2012 and updated them as part of the organisation’s ongoing review of guidelines and polices.
‘New equipment including new tonometers and measurement devices which have come on the market since the previous guidelines are covered in the updated advice,’ Mr Hanna said. ‘Members can download and read the six-page guide to ensure they are up to date with clinical practice.’
The guide details when to regularly measure IOP and in which patients, when measurement of IOP is subject to variability; measurement in infants, toddlers and pre-school children; correction of IOP with central corneal thickness; and cleaning and disinfection of tonometers.
Disposable prism tonometry, calibration of applanation tonometers and patient evaluation of IOP are also covered.
‘Intraocular pressure (IOP) is routinely measured in optometric practice,’ the advice states. ‘A number of instruments are used for the measurement of IOP and it is important that these instruments are calibrated regularly as described in the manufacturer’s instructions and that appropriate disinfection procedures are followed.
‘It is recommended that the record of IOP values is accompanied by the time, date and method of measurement and any repeat measurements taken. If central corneal thickness is measured this should also be recorded.’
Members can download the advice from the Optometry Australia website under the tab For Optometrists > Guidelines > Optometry Australia guidelines > Clinical Procedures > Tonometry.