Prevention of Infection During Tonometry

The ophthalmological literature documents epidemics of eye infections spread through the use of tonometers. 1-4 Several devices and procedures have been suggested for the sterilization of tonometers in order to eliminate the transmission of infection through the use of this instrument. Purpose of This Study The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sterilizing procedures in common use and to suggest other methods that might be more desirable from a standpoint of efficiency and rapidity. It was considered desirable that a sterilizing procedure have the following characteristics: Effectiveness. All microorganisms should be completely removed or killed, so that those parts of the tonometer coming in contact with the patient's eye be sterile. Rapidity. The time required to effect sterilization should be of the shortest possible duration in order that the instrument not be out of service for prolonged periods. In busy clinics or during mass surveys, this