Effects of disinfecting solutions on tonometer tips.

We investigated the effects of selected disinfecting solutions on the structural integrity of Goldmann applanation tonometer tips. Hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, dilute sodium hypochlorite (household bleach), and glutaraldehyde-phenate (Sporicidin) have been used for disinfecting tonometer tips. However, the effect of these solutions on the tips' structure has not been fully investigated. Haag-Steit tonometer tips were soaked separately for 30 days (723 h) in 5 different solutions and distilled water, approximately 1 working year of routine use (310 days by 14 patients per day). During the soaking period, the tips were regularly removed from solution, examined through a slitlamp, measured with vernier calipers, and photographed to monitor for structural degradation. Alcohol was the only solution that damaged the tips. The other disinfecting solutions appear to be safe for use on the tips after the equivalent of 1 working year of routine use.