Is it uncomfortable to undergo intraocular pressure examination during physical examination?

Eye pressure examination usually does not cause significant discomfort, but some sensitive individuals may experience mild swelling or temporary foreign body sensation. There are two main methods for detecting intraocular pressure: contact and non-contact. Non contact methods use airflow measurement to measure more gently, while contact methods require instruments to lightly touch the cornea, which may cause slight irritation. When using a non-contact tonometer for examination, the instrument will blow a brief airflow towards the cornea, and most people only feel a cool breeze brushing over the eyeball without obvious pain. Before the examination, it is necessary to follow the doctor's instructions to keep your eyes open and gaze. There may be a slight blink reflex during the process, but it will not damage your eyes. Contact type intraocular pressure testing requires the use of surface anesthesia eye drops. After anesthesia, the instrument lightly touches the cornea for measurement. Sensitive individuals may feel momentary compression or slight soreness, and there may be brief blurred vision within 30 minutes after the examination. Both methods will not cause sustained pain or eye damage, and the examination time usually does not exceed 5 minutes.

A very small number of patients with corneal abnormalities or eye inflammation may have a more pronounced response to the examination. Glaucoma patients may experience a decrease in corneal sensitivity due to long-term high intraocular pressure, which may lead to a weakened perception of examination stimuli. Children or individuals with mental stress can inform the doctor in advance before the examination, and if necessary, use a child specific tonometer or psychological counseling to relieve anxiety. If there is persistent redness, tearing, or pain for more than 1 hour after examination, timely follow-up examination should be conducted to rule out complications such as corneal abrasions.

It is recommended to avoid wearing contact lenses before the examination and not rub your eyes within 2 hours after the examination. Regular intraocular pressure testing is crucial for glaucoma screening, and individuals over 40 years old and those with a family history of glaucoma should undergo testing annually. If you have concerns about the examination process, you can communicate with the doctor in advance to choose a suitable measurement method.