30/08/2026
Good news if you dread the air puff test: we do not use it.
Eye pressure is one of the most important numbers we measure, because raised pressure is the main risk factor for glaucoma, and glaucoma usually causes no symptoms until damage is already done. So the number needs to be right.
The air puff test, or non-contact tonometry, is a useful screening tool. It is quick, it needs no drops, and it flags patients who need a closer look. But it is a screening test, not a precision measurement, and in a specialist practice we need precision.
So we use two methods instead:
Goldmann applanation tonometry. The international gold standard. A numbing drop, a yellow dye, and a small probe that gently rests against the surface of the eye at the slit lamp. You feel almost nothing, and it gives us the most accurate reading available.
Rebound tonometry. A tiny, lightweight probe touches the eye for a fraction of a second. No drops, no air, very well tolerated. It is excellent for children, for anxious patients, and for anyone who cannot sit comfortably at the slit lamp.
Two methods, no air puff, and a number we can actually plan treatment around.
If you are over 40, have a family history of glaucoma, or have not had your eyes checked in a while, a pressure check takes minutes. Phone 013 497 2525 or WhatsApp 066 528 9696.
