Tonometers & Slit-Lamp Applanation Tonometers
A tonometer measures intraocular pressure (IOP), the single most important data point in screening for and managing glaucoma, and a routine part of the comprehensive eye exam. Goldmann-principle applanation remains the clinical reference standard: the instrument flattens a precise area of the cornea and reads the force required, giving the accuracy that a diagnosis and long-term pressure tracking depend on. Most of the tonometers in this category mount directly to your slit lamp so the exam happens chairside in a single, efficient workflow, while handheld applanation units bring that same gold-standard method to the bedside, the wheelchair, the supine patient, or a second lane.
As a US-based ophthalmic and optometric equipment provider — not a reseller — we back these instruments with our own Ezer house brand, an in-house technical and repair department, genuine spare parts, and a US warranty. That matters with a precision measuring device: a tonometer that drifts out of calibration or loses a probe is only as good as the service behind it. Below is a practical guide to choosing the right tonometer for your practice or lab, followed by a comparison of the models we carry. Every unit is available by Request a Quote.
How to choose a tonometer
- Measurement method and accuracy: Goldmann-principle applanation is the reference standard and the right choice when readings inform diagnosis or ongoing glaucoma management. Non-contact (air-puff) tonometers are useful, quick screening tools but tend to read higher and are typically confirmed by applanation, so match the method to whether you are screening or managing.
- Slit-lamp mount and compatibility: Slit-lamp-mounted tonometers attach through a specific interface. Confirm whether your slit lamp uses an R-type (fixed, suspension-arm) or T-type (take-away guide plate) mount, and whether the head is Zeiss-style or Haag-Streit-style. Some models offer both mounting options; we help match the tonometer to your existing lamp before you buy.
- Chairside vs. portable use: A slit-lamp-mounted unit is ideal as the primary chairside instrument in an exam lane. If you need IOP at the bedside, for wheelchair-bound or supine patients, across multiple rooms, or as a reliable back-up, a handheld applanation tonometer that reads in any orientation is the better fit.
- How readings are displayed: Some tonometers give a direct numerical or digital readout, while others use a dial with a quick-reference conversion table. Digital-readout models speed up busy clinics and reduce transcription steps; a direct-reading dial is simple and dependable. Choose the workflow your staff will use consistently.
- Calibration, service and spare parts: A tonometer is a precision instrument that should be checked periodically and kept clean, with probes and prisms replaced as needed. Buy from a provider that can calibrate, service, and supply genuine parts. Our in-house repair department and US warranty keep instruments accurate and in service for years.
- New vs. pre-owned and total value: Weigh budget against warranty coverage, expected lifespan, and parts availability. New units carry a full US warranty and known service history. Whatever the configuration, confirm what is included, how calibration is handled, and who supports the instrument after the sale.
Tonometers we carry
From our own Ezer house brand to trusted lines like Huvitz, Luxvision, and Kowa, the range below spans slit-lamp-mounted applanation tonometers and portable handheld units. Descriptions are categorical to help you shortlist; contact us for full specifications and slit-lamp compatibility on any model.
| Model | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ESL-Emerald-TN (Ezer) | Slit-lamp-mounted applanation tonometer | Practices standardizing on Goldmann applanation with a house-brand instrument backed by in-house US service |
| HT-5000 (Huvitz) | Digital-readout applanation tonometer | Clinics that want a clear digital display and fast, low-maintenance chairside IOP measurement |
| TN-180B (Luxvision) | Swing-down slit-lamp applanation tonometer | Zeiss-style slit lamps needing an above-mounted unit with direct numerical readings |
| TN-150 (Luxvision) | R-type slit-lamp applanation tonometer | Slit lamps that use a fixed, suspension-arm (R-type) mounting interface |
| TN-150B (Luxvision) | R/T-type slit-lamp applanation tonometer | Practices wanting mounting flexibility with both fixed and take-away guide-plate options |
| HA-2 (Kowa) | Handheld applanation tonometer | Bedside, wheelchair, supine, multi-room, or back-up IOP measurement in any orientation |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an applanation tonometer and a non-contact (air-puff) tonometer? Applanation tonometers use the Goldmann principle — gently flattening a small area of the cornea and reading the force required — and are the clinical reference standard for accuracy, which is why they are relied on for diagnosis and glaucoma management. Non-contact air-puff tonometers estimate pressure with a puff of air and no direct contact; they are convenient for screening but tend to read higher, so elevated results are typically confirmed by applanation. Every model in this category is an applanation tonometer.
Will a slit-lamp-mounted tonometer fit my existing slit lamp? It depends on the mount. Slit-lamp tonometers attach through a specific interface, such as R-type (fixed, suspension-arm) or T-type (take-away guide plate), and the head may be Zeiss-style or Haag-Streit-style. Some models, like the TN-150B, offer more than one mounting option. Tell us the make and model of your slit lamp and we will confirm compatibility before you order.
When would I choose a handheld tonometer over a slit-lamp-mounted one? A slit-lamp-mounted applanation tonometer is the efficient choice for the primary exam lane, where the patient is already at the slit lamp. A handheld unit such as the Kowa HA-2 measures accurately in any orientation, making it the right tool for bedside, wheelchair-bound, or supine patients, for satellite rooms, and as a dependable back-up instrument.
Do tonometers need calibration and ongoing maintenance? Yes. As precision instruments, tonometers should be checked periodically to confirm they read accurately, kept clean, and have prisms or probes replaced as they wear. Buying from a provider with a real service capability matters here: our in-house technical and repair department handles calibration and repairs, we stock genuine spare parts, and units are covered by a US warranty.
How do I get pricing and place an order? Use the Request a Quote option on any product. Because configuration, mounting, and availability vary by model and by your existing slit lamp, we prepare a tailored quote and can advise on the best fit for your practice or lab, including compatibility, accessories, warranty, and service.
