Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

Which tool is commonly used to measure intraocular pressure?

1. Ophthalmoscope

2. Snellen chart

3. Tonopen

4. Refraction unit

The correct answer is: Tonopen

The tool commonly used to measure intraocular pressure is the Tonopen. This device is specifically designed to assess the pressure inside the eye, which is crucial for diagnosing conditions such as glaucoma. The Tonopen is a handheld tonometer that utilizes a soft tip to gently applanate the cornea, providing an accurate reading of intraocular pressure. Monitoring this pressure is essential in ocular health, as elevated intraocular pressure can lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss. In contrast, the other tools mentioned serve different purposes: an ophthalmoscope is used for examining the retina and optic nerve, the Snellen chart is utilized for visual acuity testing, and a refraction unit is employed for measuring refractive errors and determining the need for corrective lenses. Each of these tools plays a vital role in the comprehensive assessment of eye and vision health, but none are designed for measuring intraocular pressure like the Tonopen.