Tonometer calibration tool

A calibration system comprising, in combination:

• a non-contact tonometer operable to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) of an eye by discharging an air pulse at said eye to applanate a cornea of said eye;
• a tonometer calibration tool comprising a pressure sensor for receiving said air pulse and providing a pressure signal in response to said air pulse and an applanation simulation means for providing a pseudo-applanation event;
• a controller connecting said applanation simulation means to said pressure sensor such that said pseudo-applanation event occurs when said pressure signal reaches a predetermined level corresponding to a known IOP measurement standard, said pseudo-applanation event being detected by said non-contact tonometer as though an actual corneal applanation had taken place;
• and
• a fixture for locating said tonometer calibration tool opposite said non-contact tonometer.

A method of calibrating a non-contact tonometer comprising the steps of:

• A) operating said non-contact tonometer to direct an air pulse onto a pressure sensor;
• B) comparing a pressure signal from said pressure sensor with a predetermined signal level corresponding to a known IOP measurement standard;
• C) inducing said non-contact tonometer to detect applanation when said pressure ramp signal from said pressure sensor reaches said predetermined signal level such that said non-contact tonometer provides a measured pressure value;
• and
• D) adjusting at least one parameter of a correlation function of said non-contact tonometer to reduce a difference between said measured pressure value and said known IOP measurement standard.