[pianotech] Prof. Schloetz's Tonometer

[Douglas Gregg]

Paul is correct, the Schloetz tonometer is used for measuring internal
eye pressure. If you have had an eye exam by an ophthalmologist (MD)
you would have had this test but usually today it is part of a big
multifunction device you set your chin on and the ophthalmologist also
does a slit lamp scan of your corneal for defects.
 The tonometer requires that the cornea first be anesthetized with a
drop of lidocaine and then the little button end of the instrument is
gently rested on the cornea and the gauge reads out the internal
pressure in the eye. If it is elevated, it indicates a glaucoma. If
you are over 50, it is a good thing to have an MD ophthalmologist
examine your eyes regularly rather than just an optometrist who
prescribes glasses. Pressure in the eye can build up when the drainage
angle behind the iris is impaired. The pressure is silent ie. there is
no sensation, but it compresses the retina and will cause blindness in
a short time.

Animals get glaucomas also.

Douglas Gregg DVM PhD
Classic Piano Doc

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2012 06:37:40 -0800 (PST)
From: Paul McCloud <pmc033 at earthlink.net>
To: Larry Fisher RPT <larry_fisher at pdxtuner.com>, pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Prof. Schloetz's Tonometer
Message-ID: <18188792.896.1352385458796.JavaMail."Paul
        McCloud"@D5LKF0C1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi, Larry:
It apparently is a device to measure internal eye pressure.
Paul McCloud
San Diego

----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Fisher RPT" <larry_fisher at pdxtuner.com>
To: "pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:26:05 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Prof. Schloetz's Tonometer




While working for a dealership as an employee (a rather short gig) a
young man handed me this gem from his recently deceased grandfather?s
estate. He had no clue as to it?s origin or purpose. I gave him a few
bucks and kept it in a drawer hoping to find an answer someday.

The device is quite sensitive and comes with different weights (one
has a 7.5 stamped on it and the other a 10). You can see it measures
in the middle of the scale when balanced on top of a pool ball.
There?s a small disk with a curved surface that is used for
calibration purposes. The scale has no indication of units and spreads
from zero to twenty. The numbers 2227 are stamped to the left of the
scale. D.B.G.M. is stamped on the back of this scale.

I?ve had thoughts of placing it on a bratwurst or knackwurst to check
for firmness and such but I?d hate to get it dirty.