Reichert

Choosing a Tonometer

Deciding whether to monitor your own Eye PressuresReichert 7CR

With self tonometry, the possibility of monitoring eye pressure at home is within every glaucoma patient's reach. And with intraocular pressure as the only current treatable risk factor for glaucoma, those with pre-glaucoma or glaucoma are wise to gather as much data as possible regarding the nature and behavior of their eye pressures. Currently, the practice of monitoring those who are glaucoma suspects (ocular hypertension or OHT) and glaucoma patients entail only receiving routine eye pressure checks at their doctor's office or clinic. It is known by us in the Fiteyes community who test via self tonometry, and by the many studies showing diurnal variations, that eye pressures are far from static (this is even more the case with glaucoma). Therefore, the very infrequent exams that patients are receiving, in our opinion, are completely inadequate in describing the behavior of ocular pressure behavior and variation. This is especially true considering the 'off hours' that doctors don't test the very important night time and morning pressures, and the very important charting of diurnal variation of which Dr. Ritch and others have noted as being a predictor of glaucoma risk (the greater the diurnal variation, the greater the risk factor).
 

Therefore, for one with glaucoma or OHT, the decision to begin the process of self tonometry can be one of the most important, challenging, and rewarding decisions that a person can make. If a person is still undecided whether self tonometry is a worthwhile decision for them, a review of the Fiteyes home page article Why you should Monitor you IOP is highly suggested because it delves into many of these questions, and expounds on some of the pitfalls, objections and concerns which either a doctor or patient may have with the practice of home monitoring of pressures.

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What is Self-Tonometry?

The current trend in health care is for the patient to be as educated and involved in the treatment and monitoring of their health issues as is possible. There are dozens of new innovations which allow a patient to participate in collecting data relevant to their diseases, and self monitoring of Intraocular eye pressures using a portable or air puff tonometer for those with glaucoma, is one such area in which Fiteyes leads the way!

All of us benefit from knowing that we have a sense of power in managing our health and fortunately, “patient empowerment” is an increasing trend when it comes to management of diseases. It was not long ago that it was felt that the medical community alone could provide necessary solutions towards our health and diseases. For example, it has only been within the last several years that home blood pressure monitoring has become common place, and there is probably not a medical professional alive that would discourage this practice. In fact, in many cases a wise doctor today will even request ambulatory BP monitoring throughout the day (with an accurate device) before commencing pharmaceutical hypertension treatment. It is recognized that blood pressure varies considerably based on diurnal patterns, medication side effects, and mental states - especially so called “white coat hypertension.”

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Understanding Your Test Results

Learn more about the different eye exams one would receive in being tested for glaucoma and understand how to interpret the various examination results.

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How To Measure Your Eye Pressure At Home And Change the World Too!

Submitted by dave on Wed, 04/15/2009 - 9:53pm

I'd like to share my thoughts and experiences with you. I believe that monitoring my eye pressure closely has been invaluable for me. I also monitor a lot of other things, but intraocular pressure is still considered the most important risk factor in glaucoma. And I believe intraocular pressure is misunderstood. Therefore, we, the community of glaucoma patients, have two important opportunities in regard to monitoring our intraocular pressure right now. 

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Best Tonometers For Home Use Self-Tonometry

Submitted by dave on Wed, 12/17/2008 - 7:38pm

 

In my experience the best tonometers for home use (a.k.a., self-tonometry) are the Reichert AT555 and the Tiolat iCare. Of these the Reichert is much easier to use.

Today, miller13 said,

Had  the proview: it never worked :(

I say that's no surprise! Thanks for reporting your experience.

miller13 also asked some questions about which tonometers are suitable for self-tonometry.

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