With mask wearing continuing into the foreseeable future, obtaining accurate IOP measurements for glaucoma and glaucoma-suspect patients isn’t always straightforward.

“Measurements are more likely to be overestimated, because of the tonometer’s sensor rods touching the mask,” explains Austin Lifferth, OD, FAAO, Optometric Management’s “Glaucoma” columnist, who practices at Grossnickle Eye Center, in Warsaw, Ind.

Thwarting incorrect IOP measurements caused by masks is fairly simple, says Robert Wooldridge, OD, FAAO, of the Eye Foundation of Utah, in Salt Lake City.

“If the patient is wearing a flat, surgical-type or thin cloth mask, it’s probably not going to interfere with the reading,” he says. “In the case of stiff, dome-shaped masks, have the patient either adjust their mask or flatten that part of it. It’s just that easy.”

Justin Schweitzer, OD, FAAO, of Vance Thompson Vision, in Sioux Falls, S.D., recommends asking the patient to move their mask to the side, while still keeping the nose and mouth covered, or using a cotton swab to flatten it.

You could also consider a different method to measure IOP, instead of the typical slit lamp-mounted tonometer, says Dr. Schweitzer.

Dr. Wooldridge agrees. “Tonometers mounted from below have an arm that extends from an interior position to the eye,” he explains. “Other tonometers swing down from above, so there’s no way the arm would come into contact with the face mask.”

Another option to thwart mask-caused incorrect IOP measurements is to have the patient remove their mask — though this won’t be an option for all doctors or patients. OM