@optotrician: This is Safe, Right?
I was halfway done administrating non-contact tonometry (a.k.a. air puff test) when a 30-something man asked, “This is safe, right?”
To which I replied, “Well, yah. A small percentage of people could faint, but…pretty safe.”
To be fair, I have never had anyone faint after the air puff, but I have had two different men almost faint (lightheaded, sweating, nausia, paleness) after Goldmann applanation tonometry and corneal foreign body and rust-ring removal.
It helps to be prepared for the vasovagal response, so I have on hand an ammonia-based respiratory stimulant and Sunny Delight sugary punch.
Tags: @optotrician, Airpuff, fainting, optometrist, patients
