Guidelines and Recommendations for Tonometry Use during the COVID-19 Era

Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2020 Jul 20;27(2):73-78. doi: 10.4103/meajo.MEAJO_237_20. eCollection 2020 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a substantial change in eye care and clinical practice. There has been conflicting information and weak evidence on the virus's transmission through tears. Yet, virus detection on cornea and conjunctiva surface as a gateway for infection is not well-studied. Moreover, there have been no reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through tonometry to date. Thus, this uncertainty has urged this review on evidence-based guidelines and recommendations on tonometer use in the COVID-19 era. The aim of this article is to provide ophthalmologists with recommendations for tonometry practice based on current evidence and best practice guidelines.

Keywords: COVID-19; glaucoma; public health measures; tonometry.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Conjunctiva / virology
  • Cornea / virology
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission*
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Disinfection
  • Equipment Reuse
  • Glaucoma / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control*
  • Ophthalmology
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Tears / virology
  • Tonometry, Ocular / methods*