airpuff

Airpuff is a term that can refer to several different things, depending on the context. In medical settings, it most commonly denotes the air-puff tonometer, a non-contact device used to estimate intraocular pressure in routine eye examinations. The device delivers a short, controlled puff of air to the cornea and measures the resulting deformation with a sensor. The measurements estimate intraocular pressure, a key parameter in glaucoma screening.

The technique is valued for being quick and noncontact, reducing infection risk and patient discomfort. However, accuracy can be influenced by factors such as corneal thickness, rigidity, and hydration, and it is generally less precise than contact methods such as Goldmann applanation tonometry. As a result, airpuff tonometry is often used as a screening tool, with abnormal results followed by more precise measurements.

Outside ophthalmology, airpuff may describe any mechanism that releases a brief jet of air. In engineering, cleaning, or experimental setups, similar devices are used to dislodge dust, actuate micro-valves, or convey small volumes of material. Some brands use airpuff as a product name, though there is no single universally recognized entity by that name.

In summary, airpuff most commonly identifies an ophthalmic air-puff tonometry method, while the broader term reflects other short air-jet applications and branding.