Microaerosol Formation in Noncontact 'Air-Puff' Tonometry
- 1 February 1991
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in American Journal of Ophthalmology
- Vol. 109 (2), 225-8
- https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.1991.01080020071046
Abstract
Attention has been directed recently to appropriate methods for sterilizing tonometers to inactivate the human immunodeficiency virus and other viruses that have been found in tears. Noncontact tonometry, utilizing a brief pulse of pressurized air, is an alternative that avoids the need for sterilization procedures. We used a camera and flash electrically coupled to an American Optical Non-Contact II tonometer (Cambridge Instruments Inc, Cambridge, Mass) or a Keeler Pulsair tonometer (Keeler Instruments Inc, Broomall, Pa) to photograph the corneal profile during tonometry. Most eyes revealed some degree of tear film dehiscence and microaerosol formation. While tears have not been implicated as a source of human immunodeficiency virus infection, the ease with which droplets, potentially contaminated with human immunodeficiency virus and other viruses, are dispersed is disturbing. "Air-puff" tonometry may not be aseptic as previously presumed.This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
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