Tonometers for IOP Measurement
Tonometers measure intraocular pressure (IOP), a routine part of comprehensive and glaucoma exams. The families on this page differ in how they touch the eye and where they fit in your workflow: non-contact (air-puff) tonometers need no anesthetic drops and are often run by technicians during pre-testing, Goldmann-type applanation tonometers mount on the slit lamp for contact measurement by the clinician, and a hand-held applanation tonometer takes the same principle to patients who cannot sit at the slit lamp.
This page brings together the tonometers US Ophthalmic offers in the US, including the Ezer ETN-1800 non-contact tonometer and the Ezer ESL-Emerald-TN applanation tonometer. US Ophthalmic is a US provider of ophthalmic equipment; we manufacture the Ezer line and support it with an in-house technical department and spare parts. Pricing is by quote.
How to choose a tonometer
- Contact or non-contact: Applanation tonometers flatten a small area of the cornea and read the force needed, which requires anesthetic drops; non-contact tonometers use an air pulse with nothing touching the eye and no drops or probe covers.
- Who runs the test: Non-contact tonometers are easy to delegate to technicians during pre-testing; applanation at the slit lamp is usually performed by the clinician.
- Where you test: Slit-lamp tonometers stay on the lamp; a hand-held applanation tonometer goes to the patient for bedside, pediatric and supine measurements.
- Slit lamp compatibility: Match an applanation tonometer's mount (R-type fixed or T-type removable) to the slit lamp it will live on.
- Calibration and service: Applanation tonometers need periodic calibration checks. Ask how calibration is verified, who services the unit in the US and how parts are supplied.
Browse tonometers by type
Use the table to find the family that fits your workflow, then open that category for model details.
| Type | How it measures | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Non-contact (NCT) | Air pulse, no corneal contact, no drops | Non-Contact Tonometers |
| Slit lamp applanation (Goldmann-type) | Flattens a fixed corneal area; mounts on the slit lamp | Applanation Tonometers |
| Hand-held applanation | Same applanation principle in a portable body | Handheld Tonometers |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a non-contact and an applanation tonometer? A non-contact tonometer measures IOP with an air pulse and never touches the eye; an applanation tonometer touches the anesthetized cornea and reads the force needed to flatten a fixed area.
Do I need anesthetic drops? Applanation tonometry uses anesthetic drops; non-contact tonometry does not.
Which tonometer should a busy practice start with? Many practices use a non-contact tonometer in pre-testing and keep an applanation tonometer on the slit lamp; tell us your patient flow and we will suggest a setup.
Do you sell refurbished tonometers? No. US Ophthalmic sells new equipment only. For a lower budget, check our open-box units, which are inspected and function-checked.
How do I get pricing? Request a quote with the tonometer type and slit lamp you use, and we will come back with options, availability and lead times.
