Whenever you measure the intraocular pressure of your patient’s eyes, you are making an important evaluation on whether they are at risk of developing glaucoma. They can’t afford for you to make errors, so now is a good time to learn the top five mistakes when measuring intraocular pressure.
Mistake #1: Having an Uncomfortable Patient
Having eye pressure measured can be an unusual experience for patients, especially those who have never experienced it before. If they feel anxious or stressed out, do your best to calm them down or make them feel more comfortable. Their stress can increase their pressure readings and lead to inaccurate results.
Mistake #2: Applying Unnecessary Pressure
Another mistake when measuring intraocular pressure is applying unnecessary pressure to the eye’s globe. When you hold a patient’s eyelids open during tonometry, ensure that you are not putting any pressure on the eye that could contribute to an incorrect reading. Patients should avoid squeezing their eyes as well.
Mistake #3: Using the Incorrect Amount of Fluorescein
When you use fluorescein to check for corneal or vessel abnormalities, ensure you use the correct amount. Adding too much can hurt your reading and give you the wrong impression of the patient’s eyes.
Mistake #4: Not Calibrating Your Tonometer
It is also essential for you to make sure that your tonometer has the right calibration. Otherwise, you may have inaccurate readings, no matter how skilled you are at the job. When you first receive your tonometer, ensure you calibrate it every six months for the first year and then every month during the following years. Your patients will appreciate that their readings are as accurate as possible.
Mistake #5: Not Protecting Your Patients
You should ensure that you are cleaning your equipment adequately, as you may risk exposing your patients to infections otherwise. You can use a bleach solution, hydrogen peroxide, or a 70 percent alcohol solution to clean your equipment.
You should also always use disposable tonopen tip covers to help protect your patients from viruses and bacteria. Using these disposable covers will prevent cross-contamination.
You can provide better care for your patients when you avoid these mistakes. At Automated Ophthalmics, we have the supplies you need to take accurate readings and help improve your patient’s health.