Tonometriä

Tonometriä is a Finnish term referring to the measurement of tension or pressure. In its most common usage, it denotes tonometry, a medical procedure used to measure intraocular pressure (IOP), the fluid pressure inside the eye. This measurement is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring conditions like glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Tonometry helps ophthalmologists assess the risk of optic nerve damage caused by elevated IOP. There are several methods for performing tonometry, including applanation tonometry, where a small probe flattens a portion of the cornea, and non-contact tonometry, which uses a puff of air to momentarily flatten the cornea. The results of tonometry are recorded in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Beyond ophthalmology, the term "tonometriä" can be applied more broadly to any measurement of tension. For example, in materials science, it might refer to measuring the tensile strength or elasticity of a material. However, without further context, the medical application related to eye pressure is the most prevalent understanding of the term. The development and refinement of tonometric techniques have significantly improved the early detection and management of eye diseases, contributing to vision preservation for many individuals.