Eye Pressure Checks — Glaucoma Risk Monitoring
Intraocular pressure measurement — the frontline check for glaucoma risk. Quick, painless, and available in Wythenshawe without a hospital referral.
The most important number in glaucoma
Know Your Eye Pressure — Before Glaucoma Has Chance to Develop
Glaucoma is sometimes called the silent thief of sight — because it causes no symptoms until significant irreversible damage has already occurred. Measuring intraocular pressure is one of the simplest and most effective ways to assess your risk.
An IOP check takes less than two minutes. It is included in all our comprehensive eye test appointments and can also be booked as a standalone check for patients who are being monitored for ocular hypertension or suspected glaucoma.
Book Now- Over 40? Risk of raised IOP and glaucoma increases with age — check annually
- Family history of glaucoma? First-degree relatives have a significantly higher risk
- Been told your pressure is borderline? Regular monitoring is essential
- Long-term steroid use (drops, inhalers, tablets) can raise IOP
- Myopia (short sight) is associated with increased glaucoma susceptibility
- Previously referred for ocular hypertension or suspected glaucoma
How it works
What Happens During an Eye Pressure Check
The test is over in seconds. We may take multiple readings at different points in your appointment for accuracy, and repeat checks at subsequent visits to track any change over time.
A brief puff of air is directed at the cornea. The instrument measures how much the cornea deflects to calculate the pressure inside the eye. No drops, no contact, takes seconds.
Where more precise measurement is required, anaesthetic drops are instilled and a small probe makes brief contact with the cornea. This method is considered the gold standard for accuracy.
IOP fluctuates throughout the day. We typically take readings at the start and end of your appointment, or across multiple visits, to establish a reliable baseline.
Your optometrist interprets the results in the context of your corneal thickness, optic disc appearance, visual fields, and family history — not in isolation.
If pressure is elevated, we agree a monitoring plan or referral pathway. If within normal limits, we note it in your record and include it in your next annual check.
Also available
Other Services at Jennings Opticians
Frequently Asked Questions
Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the pressure inside the eye, produced by the fluid (aqueous humour) that fills the front chamber. Normal IOP ranges from approximately 10–21 mmHg. Raised IOP increases the risk of glaucoma — a condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to irreversible vision loss if untreated.
Not necessarily. Raised IOP is a risk factor for glaucoma but not a diagnosis. Some people with high pressure never develop glaucoma (ocular hypertension), while others develop glaucoma with normal pressure (normal tension glaucoma). A full assessment including visual fields and optic disc examination is needed to make a clinical judgement.
The non-contact (air puff) method is quick and requires no drops. The contact method (goldmann tonometry) uses a small probe with anaesthetic drops and is also painless. Most patients find it straightforward. We will explain which method we are using and why before we proceed.
IOP is measured as part of a standard eye test. If you have raised pressure, a family history of glaucoma, or are being monitored for ocular hypertension, we may recommend more frequent checks — every 3–12 months depending on your clinical picture.
Know Your Eye Pressure — Book Today
Quick, painless, and included in all full eye tests. Wythenshawe, M22.
Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:15pm | Wed & Sat 9:00am–1:00pm