Importance of digital palpation as a routine technique for intraocular pressure estimation in primary care settings

Fatemeh Heidary, Reza Gharebaghi, Roghayeh Heidary, Amir Hasan Gharebaghi
Middle East Cancer Institute, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: Acute angle-closure glaucoma is constituted an ocular emergency. The result is a pronounced elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP), with redness of the eye, and moderate to severe pain. Palpation is one of the oldest and simplest methods for approximate IOP assessment. Gentle palpation through closed lids often confirms that the involved eye is much harder than compare as the uninvolved eye. In this commentary, we recommend that this technique be used routinely in primary and emergency care settings for patients who have suspected glaucoma. Examiners may assess the accuracy of their findings by using tonometers. With minimal training, examiners may improve their expertise with the technique and the accuracy of their assessment. This technique may aid the diagnosis of glaucoma in the primary care and emergency settings especially when other methods are unavailable or subject to gross error or calibration.

Keywords: digital palpation, intraocular pressure, primary care settings