eye pressure

[barca99]

I am at risk of glaucoma due to a recent eye injury.
When during the day is eye pressure normally highest?
Is it unusual to have a difference between pressure measurments from both eyes. (Yesterday, one eye was 13 and the other was 16).
How accurate are the measurment machines that puff air on to the eye?

Thanks.

John.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

That's why we don't use the air tonometer. Too much influenced by squeezing.

You need to discuss your concerns and fears with your ophthalmologist.

You need a baseline glaucoma work up:  gonioscopy (which you've had), optic disk stereo photos, baseline visual fields and OCT of ON, central corneal thickness measurements and serial follow up with an ophthalmologist.

JCH MD

[barca99]

Its two months since the injury. I took drops for a couple of weeks after the injury. Pressure in the injured eye was 14 a week ago (measured using the instrument that requires yellow anaesthetic on the eye). Yesterday pressure was measured using the air tonometer. It was 18, 16 & 15 in three consecutive measurements. The other was 13 when measured twice. The machine then stopped working meaning a third measurement in the other eye good not be taken. Is it usual to see three different measurements when they are taken within seconds of each other? Should I be worried? Is eye pressure normally higher in the morning or later in the day?
John.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1.  Normal IOP  6-20 mm of mercury
2. more than 3-4 would raise suspicion esp if the high IOP was in the injured eye
3. air tonometer not as good as the Goldman applanating tonometer.

JCH MD