Abstract
Purpose::
The Goldmann applanation tonometry and the dynamic contour tonometry (PASCAL) are well established slit lamp mounted tonometers. Intraocular pressure examination of lead up patients and children is only possible by use of hand held tonometers (TonoPenXL, Perkins tonometer, Draeger tonometer). This study was performed to evaluate the hand held ICare tonometer, which is based on the rebound method.
Methods::
102 eyes were examined by two well experienced ophthalmologists: 1) ophthalmological status, 2) central corneal power (Zeiss IOL-Master), 3) central corneal thickness (Tomey ultrasound pachymetry, 5 successive measurements), 4) intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement by the Goldmann applantation tonometer (GAT) 1x, 5) TonoPenXL (1x), 6) ICare with 3 successive measurement series at 6 single measurements.
Results::
The mean IOPGAT was 13,2 ± 3,0 mmHg compared with the mean IOPTonoPenXL (13.4 ± 3.1 mmHg) and with the IOPICare (mean value of first measurement series: (13.4 ± 3.1 mmHg). The ICare-measurement-series showed a tonography effect (decrease of IOP from 14.6 mmHg at the first measurement and 14.2 mmHg at the second to 14.0 at the third ICare-measurement). The ICare-measurement series were highly reliable (Cronbachs alpha = 0.974). There is also a correlation themselves (r= 0.592 to 0.642; p<0,001). Between the different tonometry methods, a great intraindividual margin up to 17 mmHg can be noticed.
Conclusions::
The ICare tonometer is easy to handle with a high reliability. The data are apparent comparable to the Goldmann tonometer. The effect of tonography of about 1 mm Hg at successive measurement series should be noticed.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques