Tonometer touching giant eye surrounded by faint viruses

Is Your Eye Exam Spreading More Than Just Information? A Deep Dive into Tonometer Safety

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness January 2026 • 4 min read.

"Protecting Your Vision and Health: Understanding the Risks and Best Practices in Tonometer Use"

Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, affects millions worldwide, often progressing unnoticed in its early stages. Regular eye exams, including tonometry to measure intraocular pressure, are crucial for early detection and treatment. Tonometry involves direct contact between the tonometer and the eye's surface, which, while effective, introduces a potential risk of cross-infection, especially concerning viral particles.

The Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) is a widely used device, requiring topical anesthesia before gently touching the eye to measure pressure. This direct contact has sparked discussions and research into the effectiveness of current disinfection methods and the true risks of transmitting infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and prion diseases.

While the chances of contracting a serious illness from a routine eye exam are minimal, understanding the risks and safety measures in place can provide peace of mind and encourage proactive participation in your eye health. This article explores what the research says about tonometer safety and how clinics are working to minimize any potential risks.

Tonometers and Transmission: What Does the Science Say?

Tonometer touching giant eye surrounded by faint viruses

A systematic review of available research sheds light on the potential for infectious disease transmission through tonometers. While in vitro studies (experiments performed in a controlled laboratory setting) have demonstrated that pathogens like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and prions can be transferred via tonometers, the evidence for actual transmission in real-world clinical settings is limited.

Key findings from the research include:

In Vitro Transmission: Studies confirm that infectious agents can adhere to tonometer tips and be transferred in laboratory conditions.
Variable Sterilization Effectiveness: Different disinfection methods show varying degrees of effectiveness against different pathogens. Some common methods may not completely eliminate all infectious agents.
Limited In Vivo Evidence: There's a lack of conclusive evidence demonstrating actual transmission of HIV, hepatitis, or prion diseases through tonometers in clinical practice.

Several factors contribute to the low risk of transmission. The human eye possesses natural defenses, such as the tear film and blinking, which help to wash away pathogens. Additionally, most clinics adhere to strict hygiene protocols, including hand washing and tonometer disinfection between patients.

Staying Informed and Proactive About Your Eye Health

While the risk of infection transmission through tonometry is low, staying informed and proactive is always a good idea. Don't hesitate to discuss any concerns you have with your eye care provider. Ask about their sterilization protocols and the steps they take to ensure patient safety. By working together, you and your eye care team can maintain optimal eye health with confidence.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.14740/jocmr3294w, Alternate LINK

Title: A Systematic Review Regarding Tonometry And The Transmission Of Infectious Diseases

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine Research

Publisher: Elmer Press, Inc.

Authors: Nicole Atkins, William Hodge, Bruce Li

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and why is it used in eye exams?

The Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) is a widely used device in eye exams to measure intraocular pressure, which is crucial for glaucoma detection. It requires direct contact with the eye's surface after the application of topical anesthesia. While effective, this direct contact raises concerns about the potential risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and prion diseases. The effectiveness of disinfection methods used on the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and the actual risks of disease transmission are subjects of ongoing research and discussion.

What does research say about the potential for infectious disease transmission through tonometers?

Research indicates that pathogens, including HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and prions, can be transferred via tonometers under laboratory conditions, as shown in in vitro studies. However, there's limited evidence of actual transmission of these diseases through tonometers in real-world clinical settings. The effectiveness of different disinfection methods varies, and some may not completely eliminate all infectious agents. Factors like the eye's natural defenses (tear film, blinking) and clinics' adherence to hygiene protocols contribute to the low risk of transmission. Although in vitro studies confirm infectious agents can adhere to tonometer tips, in vivo evidence of actual transmission is limited.

What steps can I take to stay informed and proactive about my eye health regarding tonometer safety?

Although the risk of contracting a serious illness from a routine eye exam using a tonometer is minimal, it's advisable to discuss any concerns with your eye care provider. You can inquire about the clinic's sterilization protocols for the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and the specific steps they take to ensure patient safety. This proactive approach can provide peace of mind and foster a collaborative relationship with your eye care team to maintain optimal eye health. It's important to ask specifically about the disinfection methods used on the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT).

Why is regular tonometry important for detecting glaucoma, and what are the overall benefits?

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness that often progresses without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Regular eye exams, including tonometry using a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) to measure intraocular pressure, are essential for early detection and treatment. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly slow the progression of glaucoma and prevent vision loss. Given the nature of tonometry, understanding the balance between its benefits for glaucoma detection and the minimal risks of cross-infection is important for informed healthcare decisions.

What measures do clinics take to minimize the risk of infection transmission during tonometry?

Clinics minimize the risk of infection transmission during tonometry by adhering to strict hygiene protocols, including thorough hand washing and disinfection of the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) between patients. While specific disinfection methods vary, the goal is to eliminate or significantly reduce the presence of infectious agents on the tonometer's surface. These measures, combined with the eye's natural defenses, contribute to the low risk of disease transmission during routine eye exams. Research continues to evaluate and refine these protocols to ensure maximum safety.