Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

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In applanation tonometry, IOP may be overestimated if corneal thickness exceeds _______ microns.

  1. 500

  2. 550

  3. 600

  4. 650

The correct answer is: 600

In applanation tonometry, intraocular pressure (IOP) is measured by flattening a portion of the cornea. The measurement obtained can be influenced by corneal thickness since thicker corneas can provide resistance against the applanating force. If the corneal thickness exceeds 600 microns, studies have shown that there is a tendency to overestimate the IOP. This is because the greater thickness leads to a higher resistance to flattening, which suggests that the true IOP may be lower than indicated by the tonometer reading. Therefore, recognizing a corneal thickness greater than this threshold helps clinicians understand that the recorded IOP may not accurately reflect the true pressure within the eye.

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