Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the reliability and precision of intraocular pressure measurements over 24h using the iCARE tonometer.
Methods: :
The intraocular pressure (IOP) was initially measured using a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and patients were then given an iCARE tonometer for regular measurements over 24h. Measurements were conducted between February and November 2008. Results included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and number of medications.
Results: :
Data were obtained for 18 patients, 12 women and 6 men. The mean follow-up was 4.1 ± 3.1 months, and the mean age at the time of measurement was 59.3 ± 11.3 years. The mean GAT IOP was 14.9 ± 2.8 mmHg for the right eye, and 14.1 ± 2.8 mmHg for the left eye. The mean number of iCARE IOP measurements per eye was 13.6 ± 6.4 and included measurements performed at regular basis throughout a 24h period (00:00; 04:00; 08:00; 12:00; 16:00; 20:00; 24:00). The mean iCARE IOP was 13.9 ± 2.3 mmHg and 13.3 ± 2.3 mmHg for the right and left eye, respectively. The difference between GAT and iCARE tonometry over 24h was not significant (p=0.77). The best corrected visual acuity was 0.8 ± 0.4 for the right eye, and 0.9 ± 0.2 for the left eye, and the mean number of medication was 1.7 ± 1.5.
Conclusions: :
IOP measurements over 24h using the new iCARE tonometer is an easy and convenient technique to obtain valuable data of the IOP profile for patients at risk of uncontrolled glaucoma during a day and night period. The patients founded the use of this device simple and practicable. Comparison with the gold standard applanation tonometry technique showed no statistical differences in the IOP measurements.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques