Applanation tonometry has been the gold standard in clinical ophthalmology for more than fifty years. The most popular factor is central corneal thickness that is now routinely considered in glaucoma management. However, other individual features of the cornea can also play a key role for the interpretation of the applanation values. Other factors influencing applanation tonometry that have been well known for decades include tear film, fluorescein illumination etc., and should be kept in mind. According to the available literature the absence of a correct calibration cannot be neglected.

Rebound tonometry is comfortable to use even in supine patients. RT measurement agreed overall significantly with those of Perkins applanation tonometry, generally overestimating PAT measurement. In high IOP values, RT did not correlate as well with PAT as in moderate IOP levels.

The perioperative risk profile of penetrating glaucoma surgery with subconjunctival anaesthesia seems to be similar to that of procedures under general anaesthesia. For prevention of postoperative filtering bleb bleedings, the administration of topical antiglaucomatous drugs should be stopped before surgery.

The UBM is a high-frequency ultrasonic device with an imaging depth of 5 mm and a spatial resolution of 100 microm. Therefore it is a useful alternative or, respectively, additional diagnostic tool to common imaging techniques like routine X-ray imaging or CT scans, especially in the detection of non-metallic objects. It can provide important information for the ophthalmic surgeon with regard to pre-operative evaluation of the eye. Furthermore, the UBM might even substitute operative exploration of foreign bodies if they are located in the anterior segment of the eye.