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Comparison of Goldmann applanation tonometry and dynamic contour tonometry in healthy and glaucomatous eyes

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  • Azienda ULSS 9 Scaligera Regione Veneto

Abstract and Figures

To compare the measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) with dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) in healthy and glaucomatous eyes and to evaluate the influence of corneal thickness (CCT), corneal curvature (CC), axial length (AL), and age on these tonometric alternatives. Three hundred eyes of 100 healthy subjects, 100 patients with primary open angle glaucoma, and 100 patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma underwent IOP evaluation with DCT and GAT, and measurements of CCT, CC, and AL. Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate the agreement between tonometers. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of ocular structural factors on IOP measurements obtained with both tonometers. Bland-Altman plots indicated that the 95% limits of agreement between tonometers were -1.4 to 6.6 mmHg. DCT values measured 2.6+/-1.9 mmHg higher than GAT readings (P<0.001). The mean IOP difference between DCT and GAT (DeltaIOP) was higher in healthy than in glaucomatous eyes and the magnitude of difference increased with increasing CCT. A significant reduction of DeltaIOP with an increase in both CCT (P<0.001) and IOP values (P<0.001) was found. Regression analysis showed no effect of CC, AL, and age on both DCT and GAT readings. In contrast to GAT (P<0.001), DCT measurements were not influenced by CCT (P=0.43). IOP readings obtained by DCT were higher and less affected by CCT than those by GAT. The DeltaIOP was higher in healthy than in glaucomatous eyes and decreased in relation to increased CCT and IOP values.
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Comparison of
Goldmann
applanation
tonometry and
dynamic contour
tonometry in
healthy and
glaucomatous eyes
P Ceruti, R Morbio, M Marraffa and G Marchini
Abstract
Purpose To compare the measurements of
intraocular pressure (IOP) with dynamic
contour tonometry (DCT) and Goldmann
applanation tonometry (GAT) in healthy and
glaucomatous eyes and to evaluate the
influence of corneal thickness (CCT), corneal
curvature (CC), axial length (AL), and age on
these tonometric alternatives.
Methods Three hundred eyes of 100 healthy
subjects, 100 patients with primary open angle
glaucoma, and 100 patients with primary
angle-closure glaucoma underwent IOP
evaluation with DCT and GAT, and
measurements of CCT, CC, and AL.
Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate the
agreement between tonometers. Regression
analysis was used to evaluate the influence of
ocular structural factors on IOP measurements
obtained with both tonometers.
Results Bland–Altman plots indicated that
the 95% limits of agreement between
tonometers were 1.4 to 6.6 mmHg. DCT
values measured 2.6±1.9 mmHg higher than
GAT readings (Po0.001). The mean IOP
difference between DCT and GAT (DIOP) was
higher in healthy than in glaucomatous eyes
and the magnitude of difference increased
with increasing CCT. A significant reduction
of DIOP with an increase in both CCT
(Po0.001) and IOP values (Po0.001) was
found. Regression analysis showed no effect
of CC, AL, and age on both DCT and GAT
readings. In contrast to GAT (Po0.001), DCT
measurements were not influenced by CCT
(P¼0.43).
Conclusions IOP readings obtained by DCT
were higher and less affected by CCT than
those by GAT. The DIOP was higher in healthy
than in glaucomatous eyes and decreased in
relation to increased CCT and IOP values.
Eye (2009) 23, 262–269; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6703102;
published online 25 January 2008
Keywords: tonometry; Goldmann applanation
tonometry; dynamic contour tonometry; corneal
thickness; glaucoma
Introduction
Over the past four decades, the Goldmann
applanation tonometry (GAT) has been the gold
standard, against which other tonometers have
been compared for routine measurements of
intraocular pressure (IOP). However, the
accuracy of GAT depends on many ocular
structural factors, including central corneal
thickness (CCT), corneal curvature (CC), and
axial length (AL).
1
Measurements of IOP made
with applanation tonometry are influenced
directly by the CCT. We assume and apply a
single value for CCT (520 mm) in applanation
tonometry estimates, although there is
compelling evidence that CCT varies between
individuals, with ethnicity, gender, age, and the
presence of pseudoexfoliation of the lens
capsule,
2
and has a diurnal variation.
3
Goldmann himself recognized that the
tonometer’s accuracy was questionable in
corneas that were not of average thickness. In
recent years, different studies demonstrated
that changes in corneal structure and thickness,
Received: 27 June 2007
Accepted in revised form:
30 December 2007
Published online: 25 January
2008
Department of Neurological
and Visual Sciences, Eye
Clinic, University of Verona,
Verona, Italy
Correspondence: P Ceruti,
Department of Neurological
and Visual Sciences,
Eye Clinic,
Borgo Trento Hospital,
University of Verona,
Piazzale Stefani 1,
Verona 37126, Italy
Tel: þ39 3492 586 819;
Fax: þ39 0458 122 025.
E-mail: pierre77@
libero.it
Eye (2009) 23, 262–269
&2009 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved 0950-222X/09 $32.00
www.nature.com/eye
CLINICAL STUDY
which are both altered by corneal refractive surgery,
might be associated with clinically significant
underestimates of IOP when measured with GAT.
4–11
Moreover, many cases of normal-tension glaucoma and
ocular hypertension have been erroneously diagnosed by
underestimation and overestimation of IOP by GAT in
patients whose corneas are thinner or thicker than
average, respectively.
12–15
Dynamic contour tonometry
(DCT), a novel digital nonapplanation contact tonometer,
has been proposed as an alternative method for obtaining
IOP readings significantly closer to true manometric
levels.
16
DCT was designed to be largely independent of
structural properties of the cornea and to eliminate most
of the systematic errors arising from physiological
variables of the eye, which render GAT less accurate.
17
Some recent studies compared the performance of the
new device against other tonometers
18–22
considering
either the influence of pachymetry on IOP readings
23–26
or the impact of refractive surgery as a source of errors in
applanation tonometry.
27–30
Only two studies evaluated
ocular structural factors other than pachymetry
influencing IOP measurements in healthy subjects
31
or
African American subjects.
32
In this study, we compared
the IOP readings obtained by DCT with those of GAT and
analysed the influence of ocular structural factors (CCT,
CC, AL) and age on IOP readings in a large group of
Caucasian healthy subjects, patients with primary open
angle glaucoma (POAG), and patients with primary
angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Moreover, the effect of
CCT, CC, AL, IOP, and age on ocular pulse amplitude
(OPA) measurements was assessed.
Materials and methods
One hundred healthy subjects from the hospital staff, 100
patients with POAG, and 100 patients with PACG, all
attending their routine clinical appointment at the
Glaucoma Service at the Eye Clinic of the University of
Verona, contributed 300 eyes that were evaluated in a
cross-sectional study. Each participant underwent all the
measurements in one randomly selected eye. The
Institutional Review Board at the University of Verona
approved the study protocol and all study procedures
conformed to the Declaration of Helsinki for research
involving human subjects. After informed consent was
obtained, participants underwent a complete ophthalmic
examination including a review of medical history,
best-corrected visual acuity assessment, slit-lamp
examination, gonioscopy, and fundus biomicroscopy
with a þ78 D lens. The inclusion criteria included
best-corrected visual acuity of 0.7 or better and the
absence of ocular pathologies other than glaucoma. The
exclusion criteria included corneal astigmatism higher
than 2 D, corneal diseases, microphthalmos, cataract
greater than mild lens opacity (according to the Lens
Opacity Classification System III),
33
history of intraocular
or refractive surgery, ocular inflammation, and contact
lens wear. The patients were classified as glaucomatous if
they had IOP higher than 21 mmHg before medications,
optic disc with typical glaucomatous findings (cup/disc
asymmetry between two eyes X0.2, neuroretinal rim
thinning, notching, disk haemorrhage or nerve fibre layer
defects), repeatable and reliable abnormal visual field
results using the automated perimetry performed with
the 24-2 Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm (HFA;
Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA). Reliable visual
fields were required to have fixation losses, false-positive
results, and false-negative results below 20%. An
abnormal visual field was defined as a pattern SD with
Po5%, glaucoma hemifield test outside normal limits, or
both. The 100 healthy participants were enrolled after a
complete ophthalmic examination and a thorough
history taking, which confirmed no history of previous
ocular surgery and the absence of ocular pathologies. The
100 glaucomatous patients affected by POAG were
selected from those who were treated only with topical
IOP-lowering medications (b-blockers, carbonic
anhydrase inhibitors, prostaglandin analogues,
a
2
-agonists) and who did not show peripheral anterior
synechiae (PAS) after gonioscopy. The 100 patients with
PACG were selected from those who were receiving
topical miotic therapy (pilocarpine 2%), alone or in
association with other antiglaucoma topical medication,
who showed PAS, and who had never undergone
previous ocular surgery except for peripheral laser
iridotomy. Each participant underwent all the
subsequent measurements, which were obtained by the
same experienced examiner (PC) in one randomly
selected eye, in the following order: biometry, tonometry,
and pachymetry. AL and CC were both obtained by
optical biometry system (IOL Master; Carl Zeiss AG,
Feldbach, Switzerland). IOP was measured first as any
manipulation to the eye before tonometry (contact
ultrasonic pachymetry) could alter the pressure readings.
All measurements with GAT (Haag-Streit International,
Ko
¨niz, Switzerland) and DCT (Pascal dynamic contour
tonometer; Swiss Microtechnology AG, Port,
Switzerland) tonometer were taken by the same
experienced examiner (PC), who was masked to the
readings obtained. A different observer (RM) was used to
read and record the IOP readings from both to minimize
any potential form of bias. IOP was measured with GAT
and DCT tonometer in random order, with a 5-min time
interval between readings, to avoid the possibility of IOP
fluctuation due to diurnal variations. GAT was
assembled on a slit lamp (Haag-Streit International) and
calibrated according to the manufacturer’s guidelines
before each participant underwent tonometry.
Comparison of GAT and DAT in healthy and glaucomatous eyes
P Ceruti et al
263
Eye
Three consecutive IOP measurements were obtained
(paper strips impregnated with fluorescein were used to
stain the precorneal tear film) and averaged. Before each
reading, the measuring drum was reset to approximately
6 mmHg. If IOP fluctuated during the cardiac pulse cycle,
the measurement was recorded in the maximum of the
pulsation amplitude (systolic phase). DCT, which
automatically provides digital readout values (IOP; OPA,
which is the difference between the minimum and
maximum values of the pulsatile IOP wave contour
during the cardiac cycle; Q-value, the qualitative score of
measurement) on a liquid crystal display, was assembled
on the same slit lamp and three consecutive reliable IOP
readings were obtained and averaged. The
corresponding OPA and Q-values were also recorded
and the mean of the three readings were calculated for
each eye. Particular attention was paid to standardizing
the technique of DCT. The DCT tip contacts the cornea in
a manner similar to that of GAT, except that correct
positioning on the cornea is confirmed by an audible
regular flickering signal that changes in pitch with
changes in pressure. In our study, the observer (RM)
recorded three consecutive readings for each eye only
after she was sure that the examiner (PC) had obtained a
correct IOP measurement, according to the following
criteria: (1) the interrupting coupling procedure, which
allows a correct calculation of the values by the device,
was never performed before the audible regular
flickering signal emitted at least seven consecutive
pulsations; (2) the accuracy of each measurement was
judged using the qualitative score provided by the device
and all IOP readings were recorded only if the Q-value
ranged from 1 to 3 (Q¼1, optimum; Q¼2or3,
acceptable; Q¼4, questionable; Q¼5 or 6, repetition
recommended).
Central corneal thickness was measured with an
ultrasonic pachymeter (Pachette DGH 500; DGH
Technology Inc., Exton, PA, USA) and the probe was
placed on the centre of the cornea, over an undilated
pupil, after the administration of topical anaesthesia with
oxybuprocaine 0.4%. CCT was measured three times
consecutively and the mean of the three readings within
a range of ±5mm was calculated for each eye.
Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS statistical
software (version 13.0; SPSS Science Inc., Chicago, IL,
USA) and data were presented as the mean±SD (Po0.05
was considered significant). The comparison between all
the IOP measurements by DCT and GAT was performed
using the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed ranked test.
Furthermore, Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate
the agreement between IOP measurements obtained by
DCT and GAT. The difference between measurements
obtained by DCT and GAT were plotted against their
mean. The method of Bland–Altman states that 95% range
of agreement should be determined and then judged for
its range of clinical significance.
34
To examine the possible
effects of pachymetry on the tonometer measurements,
patients were stratified according to CCT in intervals
(CCT p530 mm(n¼94); CCT between 531 and 560 mm
(n¼109); CCT 4560 mm(n¼97)) for statistical analysis
purposes. To divide the whole sample into three groups
with the same number of eyes, the thirty-third (533 mm)
and the sixty-sixth (558.7 mm) percentiles were estimated
and used as the cutoff values. Then we assessed the IOP
measurement of DCT by comparing it to GAT with respect
to multiple CCT and various groups of eyes, using the
Student’s paired t-test. Linear regression analysis was
used to evaluate the influence of ocular structural factors
(CCT, CC, AL) and age on IOP measurements obtained
with both tonometers. Furthermore, the Pearson’s
bivariate analysis was assessed by correlating the DIOP
(which was obtained by calculating the difference
(DCTGAT) of the IOP measurements for each patient
and then the average of the 300 differences along with the
SD) with the range of both CCT and IOP values in the
study population. Linear regression analysis was also
used to analyse the effect of CCT, CC, AL, IOP, and age on
OPA measurements.
Results
The study included 300 eyes of 300 Caucasian
participants from three different groups. All
measurements were obtained on 300 randomly selected
eyes. The main characteristics of each group are listed in
Table 1. The accuracy of the 900 IOP measurements
Table 1 Clinical characteristics of the 300 eyes included in the study
Sex
(M/F)
Age
(years)
CCT
(mm)
CC
(D)
AL
(mm)
OPA
(mmHg)
DIOP
(mmHg)
Healthy (n¼100) 48/52 65±13.2 546±27.3 (477–608) 43.6±1.8 (40.1–49.3) 23.8±1.6 (21.8–28.9) 3.02±1.35 þ3.1±1.4
POAG (n¼100) 46/54 64.2±12.4 543.6±35.6 (460–619) 43.4±2 (39.7–47.7) 24.4±2.1 (21.1–32.7) 2.97±1.08 þ2.6±2.3
PACG (n¼100) 38/62 67.7±10.2 553.6±34.4 (460–643) 43.7±1.6 (40.4–48.8) 22.8±1 (19.7–25.6) 3.87±1.38 þ2.1±1.9
AL ¼axial length; CC ¼corneal curvature; CCT ¼central corneal thickness; OPA ¼ocular pulse amplitude; DIOP ¼mean IOP value by DCTmean IOP
value by GAT.
The data are presented as the mean±SD (range).
Comparison of GAT and DAT in healthy and glaucomatous eyes
P Ceruti et al
264
Eye
obtained with DCT in our study was high. The mean
Q-value in the whole study sample was 1.9±0.7. The
examiner achieved a mean optimum value (Q¼1) in
63.4% of measurements and an acceptable value (Q¼2
or 3) in 36.6% of them.
The concordance between the two different techniques
was high. Mean IOP values obtained by DCT and GAT
were strongly correlated in all eyes (r¼0.93, Po0.001).
However, IOP readings were significantly higher with
DCT than with GAT. The assessment of the whole study
population revealed a DIOP of þ2.6±1.9 mmHg
(range ¼4.9 to 8.8 mmHg) (Po0.001). IOP values
provided by DCT were higher than those by GAT
measurements in 273 eyes (91%), lower in 26 eyes (8.7%),
and equal in 1 eye (0.3%). Considering each group
separately, the results showed a significantly higher
DIOP in normal subjects than in patients with PACG
(Po0.001), but not with respect to patients with POAG
(Table 1).
The Bland–Altman plot is shown in Figure 1. These
plots allow us to investigate the existence of any
systematic difference between the measurements. The
average of the IOP measurements by the two methods is
plotted on the xaxis and the difference (DCTGAT) on
the yaxis. The mean difference is the estimated bias and
the SD of the differences measures the random
fluctuations around this mean. The plot shows that the
mean difference (DCTGAT) is positive and that very
few points fall outside the boundary limits (95% range of
agreement).
The analysis of the IOP measurements obtained by
DCT and GAT in the subgroup of eyes whose CCT was
within 531 and 560 mm revealed a significant difference
only between healthy subjects and patients with PACG
(P¼0.009). The evaluation of the two tonometers in the
subgroup of eyes with thicker corneas (CCT 4560 mm)
showed a significant difference either between normal
subjects and patients with POAG (P¼0.001) or between
normal subjects and patients with PACG (P¼0.03). On
the contrary, the comparison of DCT with GAT in the
subgroup of eyes with thinner corneas (CCT p530 mm)
failed to show any significant difference between healthy
and glaucomatous eyes, either with open-angle or angle-
closure phenotypes (Table 2).
Furthermore, the Pearson’s bivariate analysis was
assessed by correlating the DIOP with the range of both
CCT and IOP values in the study population. The results
revealed a significant reduction of DIOP with increasing
CCT (Po0.001) (Figure 2). Considering the values
recorded in our limited study population, we found an
inverse association between DCT and GAT (IOP readings
lower with DCT than with GAT) for CCT values above
620 mm either in healthy or in glaucomatous subjects
(Figure 3). We also found a significant decrease of DIOP
with an increase in IOP value (Po0.001) (Figure 4). The
analysis of the data showed an analogous inversion of
the performances of both tonometers for IOP values
above 24 mmHg. According to this analysis, we
estimated that the difference between the two tonometers
decreased 0.7 mmHg per 10-mm increase in CCT and
0.3 mmHg per 1-mmHg increase in IOP value.
Linear regression analysis showed no significant
effects of CCT (P¼0.43), CC (P¼0.59), AL (P¼0.41), or
age (P¼0.57) on DCT readings. On the contrary, IOP
values obtained by GAT depended on CCT (P¼0.001)
but were not significantly influenced by CC (P¼0.66),
AL (P¼0.77), or age (P¼0.34).
The OPA values measured by DCT (range ¼1–7.9
mmHg) were significantly higher in the eyes with PACG
than in either normal eyes (Po0.001) or in eyes with
POAG (Po0.001) (Table 1). The linear regression analysis
revealed that OPA readings were not affected by CCT
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
-6
-8
AVERAGE of DCT and GAT (mmHg)
DCT - GAT (mmHg)
Mean
2.6
-1.96 SD
-1.4
+1.96 SD
6.6
Figure 1 Bland–Altman plot of the agreement between
dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) intraocular pressure (IOP)
measurements (mmHg) and Goldmann applanation tonometry
(GAT) IOP measurements. The difference between the measure-
ments is plotted against the average of the measurements. Solid
line: average of the within person differences of DCTGAT.
Broken lines: 95% limits of agreement.
Table 2 Distribution of the DIOP (mean±SD, mmHg) in the
three groups of subjects (healthy, POAG, PACG) considering the
CCT subgroup of value (mm, (n¼number of eyes))
CCT Healthy POAG PACG
p530 (n¼94) þ3.7±1.5 þ4.2±1.8 þ3.5±1.9
531–560 (n¼109) þ2.9±1.3 þ2.3±2.3 þ2±1.8
4560 (n¼97) þ2.3±0.9 þ0.7±1.5 þ1.3±1.6
CCT ¼central corneal thickness; DCT ¼dynamic contour tonometry;
GAT¼Goldmann applanation tonometry; DIOP ¼mean IOP value by
DCTmean IOP value by GAT.
Comparison of GAT and DAT in healthy and glaucomatous eyes
P Ceruti et al
265
Eye
(P¼0.96), CC (P¼0.19), or age (P¼0.09), while the
values were influenced by DIOP (Po0.001) and AL
(Po0.001).
Discussion
In this study on healthy and glaucomatous subjects,
300 eyes from three different groups of Caucasian
participants were accurately enrolled to create
comparable samples (Table 1). We found a high
correlation between DCT and GAT measurements and
the agreement analysis revealed wide 95% limits of
agreement between instruments (Figure 1). However,
IOP readings obtained by DCT were 2.6 mmHg higher
than those by GAT. Similar results, in spite of different
mean values, have been reported by previous
investigations.
16,19–21,23–31,35,36
The DIOP between DCT
and GAT readings was higher in healthy than in
glaucomatous eyes, either with open-angle or angle-
closure phenotypes (Table 1). The same outcome has
been found by analysing IOP measurements obtained by
DCT and GAT in different groups of subjects with the
same CCT value, except for POAG subjects with thinner
corneas. Furthermore, the significance of DIOP between
healthy and glaucomatous eyes intensified with
increasing CCT (Table 2). The explanation of this
outcome was unclear. Topical IOP-lowering medications
could bias the measurements of DCT on glaucomatous
eyes. Both histological changes of collagen (due to an
upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases) and
modification of the corneal endothelial pump function
have been reported after the administration of topical
antiglaucoma therapy.
37,38
Drug-induced changes of
corneal structural properties, such as hydration and
rigidity, could explain the different ability of DCT
compared to GAT to measure IOP in glaucomatous
compared to healthy eyes. This observation requires
further confirmation in healthy eyes subjected to
manometry.
Several studies showed a significantly lower
correlation of CCT with DCT than with GAT.
16,28–31
Correspondingly, the present study indicated that DCT
readings were statistically independent of CCT, CC, AL,
or age. On the contrary, IOP values obtained by GAT
depended on CCT but were not significantly influenced
by other ocular structural factors and age.
Furthermore, the OPA readings were not influenced by
CCT, CC, and age but were affected by DIOP and AL.
Larger values of OPA were associated with a decrease in
the difference between DCT and GAT and a decrease of
AL values. These findings explain why OPA values were
found to be higher in the glaucomatous patients with
angle-closure phenotype (lowest AL) than either normal
subjects (median AL) (Po0.001) or glaucomatous
patients with open-angle phenotype (highest AL)
(Po0.001). For eyes with low values of OPA, DCT
640620600580560540520500480460440
CCT (m)
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
DCT - GAT (mmHg)
Figure 2 Scatterplot of DIOP (mean IOP difference between dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) and Goldmann applanation
tonometry (GAT) readings) (mmHg) vs CCT (central corneal thickness) (microns) in 300 eyes (r¼0.492; Po0.001). Solid lines: 95%
confidence intervals. Broken line: linear regression line.
Comparison of GAT and DAT in healthy and glaucomatous eyes
P Ceruti et al
266
Eye
measurements tended to be higher than GAT, whereas
for eyes with high values of OPA, GAT measurements
tended to be higher than DCT. While DCT provides a
digital readout of the OPA, which represents the average
of the minimum IOP readings during the cardiac cycle
(diastolic phase), GAT readings were obtained during the
systolic phase. These findings explain why the
differences between DCT and GAT were related to OPA.
Similar results, in spite of different study populations,
have been reported by previous investigations.
39,40
Moreover, we evaluated the performance of DCT over
a wide range of CCT and IOP values recorded in our
study population. The DIOP between DCT and GAT
measurements decreased with an increase in CCT
(Figures 2 and 3) and IOP values (Figure 4). This finding
is in agreement with other studies that showed that the
difference between the tonometers declined as CCT
increased.
36,41
On the contrary, only Barleon et al
35
observed that the difference between the two
instruments was greatest in eyes with lower IOP value,
gradually lessening as IOP increased. Considering the
values recorded in our limited study population, we
found an inverse association between DCT and GAT for
CCT values above 620 mm and IOP values above
24 mmHg. There is evidence of varying bias, as indicated
by the slope of the regression line of the differences
between the instruments: for smaller CCT and IOP
values, DCT measurements tended to be higher than
GAT measurements, whereas for higher CCT (4620 mm)
and IOP values (424 mmHg), DCT measurements
tended to be lower than GAT measurements, whether in
healthy or in glaucomatous subjects. The existence of
varying bias indicates that the amount of disagreement
between the two instruments is not constant throughout
a
b
c
5
10
15
20
25
30
450 470 490 510 530 550 570 590 610 630
CCT (m)
CCT (m)
CCT (m)
IOP (mmHg)
gat
dct
dct
gat
G
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
450 470 490 510 530 550 570 590 610 630
IOP (mmHg)
gat
dct
dct
gat
5
15
25
35
45
55
450 470 490 510 530 550 570 590 610 630
IOP (mmHg)
gat
dct
dct
gat
Figure 3 Scattergram showing the correlation between mean IOP readings obtained by dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) and
Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) (mmHg) with increasing CCT (central corneal thickness) value (microns) in healthy subjects
(a), patients with POAG (b), and patients with PACG (c). Solid line: linear function of the data for GAT. Broken line: linear function of
the data for DCT.
Comparison of GAT and DAT in healthy and glaucomatous eyes
P Ceruti et al
267
Eye
the range of measurements, but rather varies with the
actual measurement.
In our study, the wide and varying 95% limits of
agreement between DCT and GAT indicated that,
although they are highly correlated, measurements
should not be used interchangeably. Our study reveals a
good overall correlation between DCT and GAT, but the
high correlation of 0.93 masks the important systematic
difference between these machines and the agreement
between instruments differs in high or low IOP ranges.
This difference between IOP values from DCT and GAT
could be clinically significant and might alter
management decisions in some cases.
Acknowledgements
Piero Ceruti has full access to all the data in the study
and takes responsibility of the integrity of the data and
the accuracy of the data analysis. We do not have
financial interest in any aspect of this study or sources of
support. We do not have any commercial or proprietary
interest in the product or company. We did not receive
payment as a consultant, reviewer, or evaluator.
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6050403020100
IOP (mmHg)
10.0
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DCT - GAT (mmHg)
Figure 4 Correlation between DIOP (mean IOP difference between dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) and Goldmann applanation
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... 22,23 Another device, the CVS is a combination of a non-contact tonometer that uses an air puff and an ultra-high speed Scheimpflug camera that captures a series of images to analyze corneal biomechanics. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] It has a unique capability of providing a biomechanically corrected IOP (bIOP) that gives more accurate IOP readings independent of the effect of CCT and biomechanical properties of the cornea. 27,33 The accurate measurement of IOP is difficult after LASIK and PRK because of changes in corneal thickness and corneal curvature. ...
Article
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Objective: To compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) obtained by Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), correcting applanation tonometer surface (CATS) and biomechanically corrected IOP (bIOP) of Corvis ST tonometer (CVS); and to determine the effects of manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), central corneal thickness (CCT) and mean corneal curvature (Km) on the IOP measurements of corneal refractive patients. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study of 120 eyes of 64 patients from May 1, 2020 to June 1, 2021 who underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). The level of agreement between the three tonometers was evaluated, and correlation between parameters was calculated using Pearson correlation. Results: Mean preoperative to postoperative IOP in LASIK and PRK was 15.1 ± 3 to 11.3 ± 2.1 and 14.4 ± 2.6 to 12.1 ± 3 using GAT, 16.4 ± 2.8 to 13.1 ± 2.3 and 15.9 ± 2.6 to 13.7 ± 3 using CATS and 14.8 ± 2.4 to 12.9 ± 1.5 and 14.2 ± 2.4 to 12.6 ± 1.9 using CVS-bIOP. Preoperative IOP correlation between each tonometer pair showed that the lowest mean difference was between GAT and CVS-bIOP (0.32 in LASIK, 0.15 in PRK). Preoperative to postoperative IOP correlation of each tonometer resulted in a difference of 3.77, 2.30 in GAT; 3.32, 2.28 in CATS and 1.88, 1.62 in CVS-bIOP in the LASIK and PRK groups, respectively. Percentage change in CCT and Km was not correlated while change in MRSE had a weak relationship with percentage change in CVS-bIOP. Conclusion: Preoperatively, GAT and CVS-bIOP had the best agreement in IOP measurements. CATS recorded the highest IOP preoperatively and postoperatively. IOP decreased in the three tonometers after LASIK and PRK with GAT having the largest decrease. CVS-bIOP had the lowest change between preoperative and postoperative IOP measurements. Only percentage change in MRSE was correlated with percentage change in CVS-bIOP in the LASIK group.
... It is known that GAT tends to underestimate the IOP in eyes with irregular 28 29 or significantly increased central corneal thickness, and therefore, its reliability should be interpreted carefully in those patients. 30 As there is no direct correlation between the increase in astigmatism and the difference between EYEMATE-SC and Goldmann values, there are probably other factors than astigmatism that influence the accuracy of Goldmann measurement in the early postoperative phase. For instance, it is known that the accuracy of GAT decreases in higher IOP levels measuring false-low values. ...
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Aim To investigate the safety and performance of a telemetric suprachoroidal intraocular pressure (IOP) sensor (EYEMATE-SC) and the accuracy of its IOP measurements in open angle glaucoma (OAG) patients undergoing simultaneous non-penetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS). Methods Prospective, multicentre, open-label, single-arm, interventional clinical trial. Twenty-four eyes of 24 patients with OAG regularly scheduled for NPGS (canaloplasty or deep sclerectomy) were simultaneously implanted with an EYEMATE-SC sensor. Six-month follow-up on the sensor’s safety and performance as well as on the level of agreement between the EYEMATE-SC measurements and IOP measurements with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). Results The eyes underwent canaloplasty (n=15) or deep sclerectomy (n=9) and achieved successful implantation of the sensor. No device migration, dislocation or serious device-related complications occurred. A total of 367 comparisons were included in the IOP agreement analysis. The overall mean difference between GAT and EYEMATE-SC measurements was 1.31 mm Hg (lower limit of agreement (LoA) 7.55 mm Hg; upper LoA –4.92 mm Hg). The maximum difference of 2.5 mm Hg ±3.96 (LoA 0.30–2.29) was reached on day 10 and continuously improved to an agreement of –0.15 mm Hg ±2.28 (LoA –1.24 to 0.89) after 6 months. Accordingly, the percentage of eyes within an IOP difference of ±5 mm Hg improved from 78% (day 3) to 100% (6 months). Conclusions After 6 months, the EYEMATE-SC sensor was safe and well tolerated, and allowed continual IOP monitoring. Trial registration number NCT03756662 .
... The tonometer is positioned on the slit-lamp, requires the use of anesthetic drops (no fluorescein) and is automatically calibrated. It uses a concave contour tip that is equipped with a tiny sensor in the center of the contact surface ( Figure 15 When the "contour matching" between the surface of the cornea and the tip of the instrument is reached, the tangential forces of the cornea are cancelled, and the embedded pressure sensor directly measures the IOP without any cornea deformation and bias related to corneal factors, at least theoretically [107][108][109][110]. The pressure sensor tip is protected with a thin silicone membrane covered by disposable sensor caps in order to avoid the risk of infection. ...
Article
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Intraocular pressure (IOP) is an important measurement that needs to be taken during ophthalmic examinations, especially in ocular hypertension subjects, glaucoma patients and in patients with risk factors for developing glaucoma. The gold standard technique in measuring IOP is still Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT); however, this procedure requires local anesthetics, can be difficult in patients with scarce compliance, surgical patients and children, and is influenced by several corneal parameters. Numerous tonometers have been proposed in the past to address the problems related to GAT. The authors review the various devices currently in use for the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), highlighting the main advantages and limits of the various tools. The continuous monitoring of IOP, which is still under evaluation, will be an important step for a more complete and reliable management of patients affected by glaucoma.
... 14 Notably, both ORA and DCT, when directly compared to GAT, systematically show readings approximately 2 mm Hg higher than GAT IOP levels. [23][24][25] This is in line with findings from our study, which also show systematically higher readings of the EYEMATE-IO, which are expected to be largely unaffected by corneal parameters. Moreover, there is an increase in difference between EYEMATE-IO and GAT measurements with higher IOPs. ...
Article
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Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and performance of the second generation of an implantable intraocular pressure (IOP) sensor in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Design: prospective, non-comparative, open-label, multicenter clinical investigation METHODS: In this study patients with POAG, regularly scheduled for cataract surgery, were implanted with a ring-shaped, sulcus placed, foldable IOP sensor in a single procedure after intraocular lens implantation. Surgical complications as well as adverse events (AEs) during 12 months of follow-up were recorded. At each follow-up visit, a complete ophthalmic examination, including visual acuity, IOP, slit lamp examination, and dilated funduscopy as well as comparative measurements between Goldmann applanation tonometry and the EYEMATE-IO implant were performed. Results: The EYEMATE-IO implant was successfully implanted in 22 patients with few surgical complications and no unexpected device-related AEs. All ocular AEs resolved quickly under appropriate treatment. Comparative measurements showed good agreement between EYEMATE-IO and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC(3,k)) of 0.783 (95%CI: 0.743 - 0.817). EYEMATE-IO measurements were higher than GAT with a mean difference of 3.2 mmHg (95%CI: 2.8 - 3.5 mmHg). Conclusions: The EYEMATE-IO sensor was safely implanted in 22 patients and performed reliably until the end of follow-up. This device allows for continual and long-term measurements of IOP.
... The variability between GAT and DCT decreased by 0.7 mmHg for every ten micron increase in CCT. 37 Doyle et al. 38 reported that the mean difference between GAT-IOP and DCT-IOP was -2.6 mmHg in thin corneas and -0.06 mmHg in thick corneas. According to Kotecha et al. 16 GAT significantly underestimates IOP compared to DCT and ORA IOPcc in eyes with low CRF, whereas Wang et al. 17 reported that GAT underestimates IOP compare to DCT eyes with low CH. ...
Article
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Purpose: To evaluate the changes incorneal biomechanical properties and their effect on pre and postoperative differences in IOP measurement by each tonometer Design: Observational study. Methods: The study was done in subjects who underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (phaco-IOL) and combined phacoemulsification with IOL implantation and trabeculectomy (phaco-trab). IOP was measured by a single trained examiner using rebound tonometer (RBT), Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA), Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), dynamic contour tonometer (DCT), and Tono-Pen. Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured using ORA, central corneal thickness (CCT) using ultrasonic pachymeter, and corneal curvature (CR) with manual keratometry. All measurements were done one week prior to surgery and after four weeks and six weeks of the two surgeries, respectively. Only the operated eye was included for analysis. Results: Twenty-nine eyes of 29 normal subjects who underwent phaco-IOL and 23 eyes of 23 glaucoma subjects who underwent phaco-trab were studied. Increase in CCT [10.2 ± 14.86 microns, p = 0.001], decrease in CH [0.82 ± 1.38 mmHg, p = 0.003] and CRF [0.97 ± 1.0 mmHg, p < 0.001] were found post-phaco-IOL, whereas post-phaco-trab decrease in CCT [16.61 ± 15.22 microns, p < 0.001], CRF [2.28 ± 1.93 mmHg, p < 0.001] with increase in CH [0.95 ± 1.89 mmHg, p = 0.03] were noted. Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant associations for change in CH and CRF with change in IOP and not with CCT and CR postoperatively. Conclusion: Alterations in CH and CRF were associated with changes in IOP measured postoperatively by different tonometers. CH and CRF changes contribute to postoperative changes in measured IOP.
... Although studies on repeatability, reproducibility and comparisons among tonometers have already been published [12,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], for the first time we provide a comparison among these 5 devices in naïve eyes and an analysis of differences related to corneal morphological parameters in a large population. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: To evaluate differences of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements performed with Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), dynamic contour tonometer (DCT), rebound tonometry (RT), Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and Corvis ST (CST) in eyes screened for refractive surgery. Methods: One eye, only the right one, of 146 patients was included in this study. Each participant was submitted to a corneal analysis with Scheimpflug camera and IOP evaluation with GAT, DCT, RT, ORA and CST. Differences in IOP values obtained thanks to each instruments were compared and then correlations between these discrepancies and morphological features such as mean keratometry (MK) and central corneal thickness (CCT) provided by Pentacam were studied. Software used to run statistical evaluations was SPSS, version 18.0. Results: Study participants had a mean age of 33.1 ± 9.2 years old. IOP values observed in this study were 15.97 ± 2.47 mmHg (GAT), 17.55 ± 2.42 mmHg (DCT), 17.49 ± 2.08 mmHg (RT), 18.51 ± 2.59 mmHg (ORA) and 18.33 ± 2.31 mmHg (CST). The mean CCT was 560.23 ± 31.00 μm, and the mean MK was 43.33 ± 1.35 D. GAT provided significant lower values in comparison to all other devices. DCT and RT gave significantly lower intermediate IOP values than those measured with ORA and CST. All the IOP measures and the differences between devices were significantly correlated with CCT. Conclusions: According to our data, although our findings should be confirmed in further studies, GAT tonometer cannot be used interchangeably with DCT, RT, ORA and CST.
... Nevertheless, there is no absolute consensus in the literature about the dependence of DCT on CCT. Moreover, there is not a definitive agreement with regard to the exact relationship that exists between GAT and corneal variables [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] . On the contrary, a wide consensus exists with regard to the fact that DCT tends to overestimate IOP compared to GAT [4,[19][20][21] . ...
Article
Full-text available
Aim: To determine the effects of peripheral corneal thickness (PCT) on dynamic contour tonometry(DCT) and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). Methods: A cross-sectional study. We created a software which calculates the corneal contour (CC) as a function of the radius from the corneal apex to each pixel of the contour. The software generates a central circumference with a radius of 1 mm and the remainder of the cornea is segmented in 5 rings concentric with corneal apex being its diameter not constant around the corneal circumference as a consequence of the irregular CC but keeping constant the diameter of each ring in each direction of the contour. PCT was determined as the mean thickness of the most eccentric ring. Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) regression was used to determine the pattern of the relationship between PCT and both DCT and GAT respectively. Thereafter, two multivariable linear regression models were constructed. In each of them, the dependant variable was intraocular pressure (IOP) as determined using GAT and DCT respectively. In both of the models the predictive variable was PCT though LOWESS regression pattern was used to model the relationship between the dependant variables and the predictor one. Age and sex were also introduced control variables along with their first-degree interactions with PCT. Main outcome measures include amount of IOP variation explained through regression models (R(2)) and regression coefficients (B). Results: Subjects included 109 eyes of 109 healthy individuals. LOWESS regression suggested that a 2(nd)-degree polynomial would be suitable to model the relationship between both DCT and GAT with PCT. Hence PCT was introduced in both models as a linear and quadratic term. Neither age nor sex nor interactions were statistically significant in both models. For GAT model, R(2) was 17.14% (F=9.02; P=0.0002), PCT linear term B was -1.163 (95% CI: -1.163, -0.617). PCT quadratic term B was 0.00081 (95% CI: 0.00043, 0.00118). For DCT model R(2) was 14.28% (F=9.29; P=0.0002), PCT linear term B was -0.712 (95% CI: -1.052, -0.372), PCT quadratic term was B=0.0005 (95% CI: 0.0003, 0.0007). Conclusion: DCT and GAT measurements are conditioned by PCT though this effect, rather than linear, follows a 2(nd)-degree polynomial pattern.
Article
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally which significantly affects the quality of life and has a substantial economic impact. Effective detective methods are necessary to identify glaucoma as early as possible. Regular eye examinations are important for detecting the disease early and preventing deterioration of vision and quality of life. Current methods of measuring disease activity are powerful in describing the functional and structural changes in glaucomatous eyes. However, there is still a need for a novel tool to detect glaucoma earlier and more accurately. Tear fluid biomarker analysis and new imaging technology provide novel surrogate endpoints of glaucoma. Artificial intelligence is a post-diagnostic tool that can analyse ophthalmic test results. A detail review of currently used clinical tests in glaucoma include intraocular pressure test, visual field test and optical coherence tomography are presented. The advanced technologies for glaucoma measurement which can identify specific disease characteristics, as well as the mechanism, performance and future perspectives of these devices are highlighted. Applications of AI in diagnosis and prediction in glaucoma are mentioned. With the development in imaging tools, sensor technologies and artificial intelligence, diagnostic evaluation of glaucoma must assess more variables to facilitate earlier diagnosis and management in the future.
Article
Background To evaluate ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in patients with carotid artery stenosis (CAS) using the Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (DCT). Methods Consecutive patients who underwent ultrasound Doppler examination of the carotid artery for the suspicion of CAS were prospectively enrolled in the study. Each patient underwent a complete ocular examination. OPA was measured using Pascal DCT. The participants were divided into four groups according to the degree of CAS: Group 1 (no occlusion, control group), Group 2 (mild occlusion: < 50 per cent), Group 3 (moderate occlusion: 50–69 per cent), and Group 4 (severe occlusion: ≥ 70 per cent). Results A total of 161 eyes of 81 patients were included in the study. Of the 81 patients, 50 (61.7 per cent) were male, and 31 (38.3 per cent) were female. The mean age was 66.6 ± 12.3 years (range, 20–91 years). Mean OPA values were found to be 2.68 ± 0.97 mmHg in Group 1 (n = 64 eyes), 2.62 ± 0.83 mmHg in Group 2 (n = 49 eyes), 2.30 ± 0.97 mmHg in Group 3 (n = 27 eyes) and 1.66 ± 0.59 mmHg in Group 4 (n = 21 eyes). There was no statistically significant difference in mean OPA levels between Group 1 and Group 2 (p = 0.73). However, statistically significant differences were found between the other groups when they were compared with each other (Groups 1 and 3, p = 0.02; Groups 1 and 4, p < 0.001; Groups 2 and 3, p = 0.02; Groups 2 and 4, p < 0.001; Groups 3 and 4, p = 0.002). Conclusion OPA decreases in patients with moderate to severe CAS. OPA measurement with Pascal DCT can be used as a screening test for CAS.
Article
Purpose: To compare a biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP) algorithm provided by the dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer (Corvis ST) with Goldmann applanation tonometry IOP (Goldmann IOP) and standard dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer IOP measurements before and after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and refractive lenticule extraction small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgeries. Setting: Smile Eye Clinic, Munich, Germany, and University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom. Design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Patients scheduled for LASIK and patients scheduled for small-incision lenticule extraction for myopia or myopic astigmatism were included. The preoperative and postoperative evaluations included Goldmann, Scheimpflug tomography, and dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer IOP measurements. Results: The study comprised 14 patients in the LASIK group and 22 patients in the small-incision lenticule extraction group. Preoperative Goldmann IOP and Scheimpflug analyzer IOP values showed significant positive correlation with central corneal thickness (CCT) (P = .05 for LASIK; P = .003 for small-incision lenticule extraction). No significant correlation was found between bIOP and CCT (P > .05). After both surgeries, there were significant decreases in Goldmann IOP (-3.2 mm Hg ± 3.4 [SD] and -3.2 ± 2.1 mm Hg, respectively; both P < .001) and Scheimpflug analyzer IOP (-3.7 ± 2.1 mm Hg and -3.3 ± 2.0 mm Hg, respectively, both P < .001) compared with preoperative readings, whereas bIOP did not differ significantly (0.1 ± 2.1 mm Hg and 0.8 ± 1.8 mm Hg, respectively; P = .80 and P = .273, respectively). Conclusions: The bIOP readings before and after LASIK and small-incision lenticule extraction were neither significantly different nor correlated with CCT. In contrast, both Goldmann IOP and Scheimpflug analyzer IOP had significant reductions postoperatively and showed significant correlation with CCT preoperatively.
Article
Agreement between two methods of clinical measurement can be quantified using the differences between observations made using the two methods on the same subjects. The 95% limits of agreement, estimated by mean difference 1.96 standard deviation of the differences, provide an interval within which 95% of differences between measurements by the two methods are expected to lie. We describe how graphical methods can be used to investigate the assumptions of the method and we also give confidence intervals. We extend the basic approach to data where there is a relationship between difference and magnitude, both with a simple logarithmic transformation approach and a new, more general, regression approach. We discuss the importance of the repeatability of each method separately and compare an estimate of this to the limits of agreement. We extend the limits of agreement approach to data with repeated measurements, proposing new estimates for equal numbers of replicates by each method on each subject, for unequal numbers of replicates, and for replicated data collected in pairs, where the underlying value of the quantity being measured is changing. Finally, we describe a nonparametric approach to comparing methods.
Article
Objective Central corneal thickness influences intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement. We examined the central corneal thickness of subjects in the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) and determined if central corneal thickness is related to race. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants One thousand three hundred one OHTS subjects with central corneal thickness measurements. Intervention Central corneal thickness was determined with ultrasonic pachymeters of the same make and model at all clinical sites of the OHTS. Main Outcome Measures Correlation of mean central corneal thickness with race, baseline IOP, refraction, age, gender, systemic hypertension, and diabetes. Results Mean central corneal thickness was 573.0 ± 39.0 μm. Twenty-four percent of the OHTS subjects had central corneal thickness > 600 μm. Mean central corneal thickness for African American subjects (555.7 ± 40.0 μm; n = 318) was 23 μm thinner than for white subjects (579.0 ± 37.0 μm; P < 0.0001). Other factors associated with greater mean central corneal thickness were younger age, female gender, and diabetes. Conclusions OHTS subjects have thicker corneas than the general population. African American subjects have thinner corneas than white subjects in the study. The effect of central corneal thickness may influence the accuracy of applanation tonometry in the diagnosis, screening, and management of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
Article
Objective: To determine the reliability of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements by Goldmann applanation tonometry and pneumotonometry in eyes treated with excimer myopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), Design: A prospective case series. Participants: Forty consecutive eyes treated with PRK were evaluated. Intervention and Main Outcome Measures: Central and peripheral corneal Goldmann tonometry and pneumotonometry measurements were done before surgery, at 1 week, and at I and 3 months after surgery. Results: The IOP by Goldmann tonometry from the central cornea was significantly lower than the peripheral IOP; however, there was no difference between IOP measured from central and peripheral corneas by pneumotonometry, which, in turn, correlated with peripheral Goldmann measurements. There was a trend, but not a statistically significant correlation, between the spherical equivalent of the treatment and the amount of decrease in central Goldmann IOP. Conclusions: Pneumotonometry measures the IOP reliably after PRK from all parts of the cornea, whereas central Goldmann tonometry underestimates the IOP by 2.40 +/- 1.23 mmHg.
Article
purpose. Thinning of the corneal stroma by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) results in inaccurate low intraocular pressure (IOP) readings by Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). Dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) is a novel measuring technique, designed to measure IOP largely independent of corneal thickness and curvature. The purpose of this study was to compare IOP measurements using GAT and DCT in eyes undergoing LASIK for correction of myopia. methods. In a prospective, single-center study, central corneal thickness (CCT) and IOP were measured in patients undergoing first-time LASIK for myopia. IOP was measured before and after surgery using GAT and DCT. The untreated contralateral eyes served as paired controls. results. There was good concordance between the two tonometers in 62 normal eyes before LASIK. Corneal ablation of 90.0 ± 49.18 μm (median ± SD) reduced IOP readings as measured by GAT by 3.0 ± 1.9 mm Hg (P < 0.001). In contrast, no significant change in IOP readings was recorded by DCT (−0.2 mm Hg ± 1.5 mm Hg, P = 0.30). There was no change in IOP in the untreated control eyes as measured by GAT and DCT. conclusions. Significant decreases in IOP were recorded by GAT after LASIK for myopia. Measurements by DCT, however, did not reveal any significant changes in IOP.
Article
Objective To assess whether central corneal thickness (CCT) is a confounding factor in the classification of patients attending for glaucoma assessment in a district general hospital.
Article
Purpose. To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) with three different instruments, Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), noncontact tonometer, and Tono-Pen after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia. Methods. A prospective case series study to evaluate preoperative and postoperative IOP measurements of 149 eyes at 12 months. We performed GAT, noncontact tonometry, Tono-Pen central, and Tono-Pen temporal periphery measurements. We also performed measurements of the central corneal thickness (CCT) by ultrasonic pachymetry and keratometry. Preoperative IOP reading served as control for all studies. Results. After PRK, IOP reading was significantly reduced in the treated eyes when compared with the control measurements (11.87 ± 1.73 vs. 13.37 ± 1.52 mmHg, p < 0.0001 with GAT; 12.07 ± 1.6 vs. 13.51 ± 1.59 mmHg, p < 0.0001 with noncontact tonometer; 12.18 ± 1.6 vs. 13.48 ± 1.55 mmHg, p < 0.0001 with Tono-Pen central; 13.48 ± 1.65 vs. 13.71 ± 1.56 Hg, p < 0.0104 with Tono-Pen temporal periphery). There was also a significant correlation between IOP reading changes measured by GAT, noncontact tonometer, Tono-Pen central, and change of CCT and between reduction of IOP reading and keratometry (r2> 0.39, p < 0.0001 for each). The correlation between IOP reading change by Tono-Pen temporal periphery and CCT was also significant but r2value was only 0.034. Tono-Pen temporal periphery postoperative IOP measurements had the best correlation with preoperative GAT IOP (r2= 0.57, p < 0.0001). Conclusions. PRK reduced IOP reading as measured by GAT, noncontact tonometer, and Tono-Pen central; less so when measured by Tono-Pen temporal periphery. Early detection of glaucoma and IOP follow-up in glaucoma patients may be done best by peripheral Tono-Pen measurements over the nonablated cornea.
Article
The Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) is a simple system for classifying age-related human lens opacities at the slit lamp or in retroilluminated and slit-lamp photographs. The system employs a set of standard Neitz CTR retroilluminated black-and-white photographs for classification of cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts and a single color slit-lamp photograph for classification of nuclear color and opalescence. We present a detailed description of the system.
Article
There are many sources of error in the use of Goldmann-type applanation tonometers. In clinically normal corneas hypofluorescence of the precorneal tear film, accommodation, the Valsalva maneuver and vertical gaze are preventable causes of large tonometric errors. Repeated tonometry may induce a decline in the intraocular pressure (IOP). Variations in the corneal resistance to indentation between eyes cause significant errors. The most significant cause of error in clinically abnormal eyes is corneal epithelial edema, which causes a marked underestimation of IOP. Measurements obtained with Goldmann-type tonometers can be used with confidence to monitor changes in the IOP of an individual, but should not be relied on to determine the absolute manometric pressure within an eye or to compare the IOPs in eyes of different individuals.