The dreaded puff of air in the eye… It’s close to torture, and we hear is even cause of why some won’t come back each year for their eye exam!  Well, let us put your mind at complete ease in knowing…

• We DO NOT puff any air into your eyes here!

 

Let’s give you some information about why this is done and what the alternatives are:

One important part of a complete eye exam is measuring the pressure in your eyes. Your eyeball is filled with fluid, and much like air pressure in a tire, your eye has a fluid pressure. High eye pressures can be associated with inflammation and/or glaucoma. Everyone’s eye pressures are different, but typically ranging between 10-20. In addition to a complete eye exam, it’s important to check your eye pressure each year, to determine your average and watch for changes.

The most accurate way to check eye pressures is with a “Goldmann tonometer”. With this technique, the doctor will instill a yellow eye drop and use a bright blue light apparatus to come extremely close the eye.  It is painless, but as you can imagine, is difficult with apprehensive patients and is more time consuming.  Which is why the puff of air machine became popular… It is quick and very easily trained to optical staff members.

Fortunately, technology continues to improve, and we at Healthy Eyes have an alternative to the dreaded puff of air machine.  It is an extremely simple, handheld device that literally takes a second to measure.  In contrast to a blast of air, this method involves a tiny wand gently bouncing off the tears on the surface of your eyes.  It barely tickles your eyelashes, you blink, and it’s over. No pain, no eye drops.  We are quickly and accurately able to measure eye pressure on every patient, including young children.

 

 

So, don’t let the fear of any blasts of air keep you from visiting us every year! And, if dilating your eyes is another fright, ask about our OPTOMAP technology that can quickly take a digital scan of your retina without eye drops.