Non-contact tonometry: optometrists' current practice in England and Wales

A survey of 133 optometrists who used a non-contact tonometer indicates that in only a half of patients tested were more than two readings per eye taken. Most optometrists made the number of readings conditional on the intraocular pressure (IOP) shown by the initial readings. About 1% of patients aged over 40 years were called back for a second IOP test. In a follow-up questionnaire with 90 respondents, only 24 (27%) stated that they had rechecked any patient by Goldmann applanation tonometry during the previous 6 months. Of these 90 optometrists, 20 (22%) had not had their tonometer serviced within the previous 24 months. It was concluded that, whilst non-contact tonometry makes a major contribution to glaucoma detection, improvements could be made in current practice which require little extra time.