The best tonometer for home use to monitoring glaucoma

Last updated on July 8, 2024

It is the small things in life that make a big difference. Our eyes may be small organs, but they play a significant role, and without them, the world would not be the same again. That is why eye care is very crucial for all of us.

Unfortunately, some people develop an eye disorder called glaucoma. This disorder does not reveal any early symptoms, making it dangerous. Many people live with the condition without even knowing it. Thankfully, you can now monitor the condition of your eyes using a tonometer for home use.

Glaucoma can damage the optic nerves, which transmit signals from your eyes to the brain. It can progress rapidly without displaying any symptoms until a later stage. In some people, it causes vision loss that cannot be reversed. The disorder is related to the increase in intraocular pressure (IOP).

Statistics reveal that more than 2 million Americans suffer from glaucoma. Such high numbers motivated doctors to develop a gadget that allows people to monitor their eye pressure from the comfort of their homes. The best tonometer for home use can help you manage the condition better and reduce your visits to the hospital.

Home tonometry is a logical step in managing glaucoma. It makes it easy to establish any changes in your eye pressure to prevent the disorder from progressing. It also makes you compliant with some prescribed therapy and makes it easy for your doctor to treat your condition efficiently.

Postoperative patients should try a tonometer for home use to manage their condition.

These devices can help you comprehend how your pressure fluctuates so that you can be confident about the effectiveness of your treatment. You don’t have to pay for doctor’s appointments regularly, so they save you some expenses and increase convenience. Advanced technology lets you periodically monitor your eye pressure from home.

Why should you monitor your eye pressure?

A tonometer for home use is a must-have for glaucoma patients because they need to monitor eye pressure. IOP fluctuates, and this can happen on the same day. Measuring eye pressure frequently gives the doctor a clear picture of the fluctuations. This helps the doctor determine how effective your treatment plan is and determine the proper steps to take to improve your condition.

The best tonometer for home use can help you identify the activities that may stimulate a spike in eye pressure. By giving this information to your doctor, you can receive better treatment. Consistent monitoring is crucial for glaucoma. It helps you collect eye pressure data to help you and your doctor make the right decisions.

Through a tonometer for home use, you can know whether you should stick to medication or go for glaucoma surgery. It helps you understand the triggers that affect your eye pressure, such as stress, so you can make healthy lifestyle changes.

Top Features to Look for in a Home Tonometer

Accuracy and Reliability Accuracy is the most crucial feature of a tonometer. Reliable readings are essential for effective glaucoma management.

Ease of Use A user-friendly design ensures patients can efficiently operate the device without professional assistance. Look for features like digital displays, clear instructions, and ergonomic designs.

Portability A portable tonometer is convenient for patients who travel frequently. Its compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry anywhere.

Advanced tonometers can store data digitally. This feature lets users monitor their intraocular pressure (IOP) readings over time. Users can also easily share this data with their healthcare providers.

We’d like to have a look at the best tonometer for home use that you should consider.

1. The “intelligent” Tonometer- Icare ic100 ($1,950.00)

Are you tired of using eye drops to treat skin disorders? Switching to icare ic100 eliminates the need for such techniques. You do not need any specialized skills or calibration to use it.

This home tonometer has clear directions since the buttons are indicated for you to read. You turn on your device by pressing the measure or select button.

To use it, you should be relaxed so that your eyes can remain steady as you focus straight and look at a precise point. It takes measurements about 5 mm from the middle part of the cornea.

It would help if you placed it horizontally close to the center of the cornea.

Product Description

Automatic measuring sequence

It has both automatic and manual measurement modes. The automatic mode has six consecutive blasts. To activate it, you only need to push the button deeply once. Manual mode contains six measurements and explosions, which you can activate by pressing the button lightly.

This triggers the beeping sound, and you get your results on the plain display. A green circle on the display signifies okay, while a yellow circle stands for acceptable variation. The measuring sequence can take all six measurements from a single touch.

It is easy to navigate.

Your tonometer has a user-friendly navigation interface and utilizes a similar rebound technology used by TA01i. It contains ergonomic features not found in previous versions to boost the user interface so you can always get consistent IOP measurements.

The rebound technology allows the lightweight probe to make contact with your cornea. Thanks to the induction-based coil system used in this technology, you can get measurements. Software and an advanced algorithm analyze the contact time and deceleration of the probe once it touches your cornea.

Positioning assistant

The manufacturers also equip it with an intelligent positioning assistant that helps you align the tonometer well to give accurate data. The green and red lights act as a guide to help you find the correct position when testing eye pressure.

Key features

• Weight: 230g
• Rebound technology
• Intelligent positioning

2. Best for personal use- Icare home tonometer ($1,000.00)

You can monitor your eye pressure anytime from anywhere with the icare home tonometer.

Understanding the progress of your condition can make you feel comfortable and put you at ease. When you buy this tonometer, you do not require air puffs anymore. It is a straightforward process that takes a few minutes to set up and measure your eye pressure.

Product Description

Six measurements

Icare Home Tonometer allows you to measure IOP up to six times daily. It uses a disposable probe to take these measurements. The probe moves to your cornea during measuring and back. The tonometer later calculates your final eye pressure and holds it in memory. So, you can keep track of this data until your next visit to the doctor.

A measure button can also give you a single measurement or a series of six measurements combined. However, the tonometer may not provide immediate feedback.

Patented rebound mechanism

This also works on the patented rebound principle. It uses IR reflectance to identify the eye automatically.

Support

You can also align your cheek and provide your head with the support needed to increase comfort when taking the measurement. The support system also helps you to remain stable so that your eye can stay in one position for easy measuring. It, therefore, enables you to achieve accuracy.

LEDs system

The tonometer also uses an LED system to give you feedback in case of errors. The LED alignment of the icare tonometer differs from other versions, even if it uses probes similar to the rest.

Accessories

You also get a carrying case to enhance portability. It is high-quality and spacious, making room for additional accessories. The packaging comes with ten probes, a USB cable, batteries, a hand strap, and a USB drive containing software and manuals to increase ease of use.

Key features

• Base cleaning tube
• LEDs- red and green light
• It is light-weight
• Offers various probes

3. A versatile and accurate tonometer- Reichert tono-pen avia ($1,590.00)

Get a tonometer that you can easily hold with one hand and use conveniently. This one has an ergonomic design that makes it lightweight for portability purposes. It offers IOP readings similar to those of the Goldmann tonometry.

Product Description

Accurate measurements

Thanks to the electronic technology used to make this home tonometer, you receive accurate measurements quickly without much training. It uses an extended-life battery to take more than 2000 measurements, meaning you can make numerous measurements within one day.

Sanitized tip covers

The ocufilm tip covers are sanitized to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. You don’t have to worry about germs entering your eyes as you use this tonometer. It also eliminates the need for calibration.

Ease of use

Thanks to its design, this device makes it difficult to make errors when measuring eye pressure. It does not need a specific position to function, so a doctor can use it on different patients, including those in a wheelchair or lying on the bed. The measurements are not sensitive to corneal centration.

It is easy to use since you only need to activate it by pushing a button. The large LCD screens display the measurements immediately after use. Your package also comes with an instructional manual and a DVD that can guide you through using it.

Intelligent

The manufacturers use micro-strain gauge technology, which allows them to deliver reliable and repeatable results. The gauge also uses a transducer tip and a statistical confidence indicator to display ten separate readings.

Advanced electronics make it a reliable tonometer that is designed to eliminate errors. There are also grip zones that make it stable in different hand sizes. It increases the comfort when holding it.

Key Features

• Carrying case
• Ocu-film
• Batteries and tip covers
• Grip zones

4. A credible and reliable tonometer- Reichert tono-pen XL ($1,290.00)

Do you need a tonometer to carry in your handbag when going to work? Get Reichert tono-pen XL. It is lightweight and portable, so you can continue taking your IOP readings from anywhere.

The Tono-pen XL is also user-friendly and does not require much training. The IOP measurements are accurate and displayed quickly on the tonometer’s screen. Its ergonomic design makes it stand out among other devices.

Product Description

Advanced technology

This uses micro-strain gauge technology, which boosts the accuracy of eye pressure measurements. It is also fitted with a transducer tip and utilizes cutting-edge software.

This makes sure that you take the readings only at the application. The Scanlock mechanism scans the electronic data within seconds to give you fast, reliable, and repeatable tonometry results.

User-friendly

Once you have set the tonometer in position, you can activate it by pushing the button and then waiting for it to display the results on the LCD screen. It is gentle and does not rely on a particular orientation to work, so you can measure your eye pressure even when lying on a bed.

It utilizes Ocu-cell batteries that are long-lasting and capable of withstanding more than a thousand readings.

Clinically trusted

Clinicians have used this tonometer for more than two decades. Its proven reliability makes it trusted among professionals, thus giving glaucoma patients confidence in using it. Doctors believe that it is one of the best tonometers for home use.

The docu-film is sanitized, and the tonometer is equipped with tip covers, making it safe for doctors to use on multiple patients without cross-contamination.

Key features

• Weight: 2.1 ounces, thus light and portable
• Accurate and rapid IOP measurements
• Works from any angle
• User-friendly display.

5. Non-contact tonometer- Keeler PSL One ($2,990.00)

Keeler PSL One is fabricated and designed with the strength to defy the daily traumas of this demanding ophthalmic environment. The PSL is durable, lightweight, and robust.

The Keeler tonometer does not need consumables to work. It is ready to use and reduces the costs associated with managing glaucoma. It is an intelligent device that uses optical technology to give you accurate results quickly.

Product Description

It is gentle

Your tonometer is designed to be gentle when taking readings. If your eye pressure is high, the puff will increase readily for the subsequent measurement. It offers automatic operation to be as comfortable as possible. The doctor can program it in either manual or auto-measurement mode.

Wall mount

Compared to most home-use tonometers, this one can be mounted on a wall to measure this; therefore, holding it during the measurement is unnecessary. Thus, it saves on space and allows you to use it from anywhere. It can be used from a desk without occupying a lot of room.

Position detection

When taking the measurements, you do not need to position yourself on a chinrest. It includes a position detection that increases comfort when taking the readings and puff control. It also comes with an integrated printer, thus eliminating the need for sterile consumables.

Key features

• Accuracy: +/- 1 mmHg
• Measurement range: 5-50mmHg
• Mounting system: Wall mounting or tabletop
• Working distance: 20m

6. iCare HOME2 Tonometer ($1,155.00)

The iCare HOME2 Tonometer is a sophisticated, user-friendly device that measures intraocular pressure. It is an upgrade from its predecessor, the iCare HOME, offering enhanced features to improve accuracy, ease of use, and data management.

Pros of iCare HOME2 Tonometer

1. High Accuracy The device provides reliable and precise IOP readings, which are essential for effectively monitoring glaucoma.

2. User-Friendly Design The iCare HOME2 is designed to be user-friendly, with simple instructions and an intuitive interface that makes self-measurement easy.

3. Portability Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry, ensuring that patients can monitor their IOP consistently, even on the go.

4. Comprehensive Data Management: Storing and transferring data facilitates better communication with healthcare providers and helps maintain an accurate medical history.

5. Non-Invasive and Comfortable The non-contact measurement method enhances comfort and reduces the risk of infection, making it suitable for regular use.

Cons of iCare HOME2 Tonometer

1. Cost The iCare HOME2 Tonometer is relatively expensive compared to other home-use tonometers, which may be a barrier for some patients.

2. Learning Curve While designed to be user-friendly, some users may require time and practice to become proficient in using the device correctly.

3. Battery Life: The device requires regular charging, and inadequate battery management can lead to inconvenience or missed measurements.

4. Dependency on Technique: Accurate measurements depend on the correct usage of the device. Improper technique can lead to inaccurate readings, which may affect glaucoma management.

7. Icare ic200 Tonometer ($1,625.00)

Accurate and regular intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring is essential for effectively managing glaucoma. The iCare ic200 Tonometer is an advanced tool designed to facilitate this crucial task from the comfort of your home. This article will explore the features, benefits, pros, and cons of the iCare ic200 Tonometer, providing comprehensive insights into its role in glaucoma management.

Pros of iCare ic200 Tonometer

1. High Accuracy The iCare ic200 provides reliable and precise IOP readings, crucial for monitoring glaucoma effectively and making informed treatment decisions.

2. User-Friendly Design: The device is designed with the user in mind, featuring intuitive controls and a straightforward interface that simplifies the measurement process.

3. Portability The iCare i200’s compact size and lightweight design make it easy to transport, ensuring consistent monitoring regardless of the patient’s location.

4. Comfortable and Hygienic: The non-contact measurement method enhances comfort and reduces the risk of contamination, making it suitable for regular use without discomfort.

5. Advanced Rebound Technology This technology ensures accurate readings across corneal conditions, providing consistent and reliable measurements.

Cons of iCare ic200 Tonometer

1. Cost The iCare ic200 Tonometer is relatively expensive compared to other home-use tonometers, which may be a financial barrier for some patients.

2. Learning Curve: While the device is designed to be user-friendly, some users may require time and practice to master its correct usage.

3. Battery Life: The device requires regular charging and insufficient battery management can lead to inconvenience or missed measurements.

4. Technique Sensitivity Accurate measurements depend on proper technique. Users must follow instructions carefully to avoid inaccurate readings, which can affect glaucoma management.

Conclusion of tonometer for home use

Monitoring glaucoma effectively requires a reliable and easy-to-use tonometer. The iCare HOME, iCare HOME2, and Care ic200 are top tonometers for home use. They are accurate, easy to use, and have advanced features to help manage eye health.

Regular monitoring can lead to early detection of changes in IOP, better disease management, and improved quality of life. Please always consult your eye doctor to choose the best device for your needs and set up a monitoring routine that works for your condition.

Your beautiful blue eyes contain various fluids that keep them healthy. The eyes make new fluids daily as they drain out the old fluid. Sometimes, the drainage system may not be practical, causing an increase in eye pressure.

The buildup of this pressure increases the risk of glaucoma. That is why you must monitor eye pressure during regular eye exams to detect changes.

We are moving away from when only professionals could perform tonometry on glaucoma patients. Patients can now use a home tonometer to monitor intraocular pressure without the doctor’s presence.

It would be best if you kept testing your eye pressure because it can fluctuate rapidly before your next visit to the doctor.

Though glaucoma can affect anyone, the chances are higher if you have diabetes, are above 40 years old, or are diabetic. Doctors also say that people with high blood pressure and problems with their eyesight, such as blurry vision, are also prone to the disease.

However, you can prevent it from happening by getting a tonometer today. Could you let the reviews we discussed guide you in choosing the best one? Consider portability and ease of use when selecting the best home-use tonometer.