Intraocular Pressure (Eye Pressure) Check

Overview

The eye continuously produces and drains a clear fluid called aqueous humour, which maintains its shape and internal pressure. When drainage is reduced, pressure inside the eye can rise and gradually damage the optic nerve — this is glaucoma.

Because raised eye pressure usually causes no pain or early symptoms, regular IOP checks are one of the most important tools for catching glaucoma before vision is lost.

Who It Is For

• Adults above 40 years as part of routine eye screening
• People with a family history of glaucoma
• Patients with diabetes, high myopia or previous eye injury
• Anyone on long-term steroid medication or eye drops
• Patients already diagnosed with glaucoma, for periodic monitoring

Preparation

No special preparation is needed. Avoid rubbing your eyes before the test, and inform the doctor if you wear contact lenses, as these are usually removed beforehand.

How It Works

A drop of local anaesthetic and a yellow dye (fluorescein) is instilled in the eye. The applanation tonometer, mounted on the slit lamp, gently touches the front surface of the cornea to measure how much force is needed to flatten a small area — this correlates with the pressure inside the eye.

Procedure Steps

• Positioning comfortably at the Appasamy 3-step slit lamp with applanation tonometer
• Anaesthetic and dye drops instilled in each eye
• Gentle contact of the tonometer tip with the cornea to record pressure
• Reading repeated if needed for accuracy
• Results reviewed alongside optic nerve and visual field findings

Conditions Diagnosed

• Primary open-angle glaucoma
• Ocular hypertension (raised pressure without nerve damage)
• Secondary glaucoma from inflammation, injury or steroid use
• Monitoring of pressure after eye surgery

Expected Outcomes

The test gives an immediate pressure reading. If pressure is raised, further tests such as visual field testing and retina evaluation of the optic nerve are usually advised to confirm or rule out glaucoma.

Cost Factors

Cost depends on the diagnosis, the tests required, the technology or implant chosen and the length of treatment or follow-up.

The clinic explains the full cost — tests, procedure and follow-up visits — before you agree to treatment. There are no hidden charges.

Insurance and cashless approval depend on your policy and the procedure; the front desk helps with the paperwork wherever a claim applies.

Call the clinic on 070303 11311 for current pricing and insurance details.

Technology Used

• Appasamy 3-step slit lamp with applanation tonometer
• Optech motorized chair unit for stable positioning during testing

Why Choose Dr. Murkute's O2 Bone & Eye Care

• Glaucoma screening and monitoring by Dr. Dipti V. Murkute, Consultant Ophthalmologist (MBBS, DNB Ophthal, FICO UK)
• Accurate applanation tonometry, the clinical standard for eye pressure measurement
• Pressure findings interpreted together with optic nerve and visual field status
• Convenient Kharadi location for patients across East Pune