|
|
||||||||
1 From the Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom; the 2 Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and the 3 Solihull and Heartlands National Health Service Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
| Abstract |
|---|
|
|
|---|
METHODS. IOP was measured with an OBF pneumotonometer, Tono-Pen and Goldmann applanation tonometer in random order in 181 eyes with normal corneas. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured using an ultrasonic pachymeter after all IOP determinations had been made. Right and left eyes were analyzed separately for statistical purposes.
RESULTS. With all instruments, IOP varied with CCT, even though the variation in IOP was large. Readings with the OBF pneumotonometer showed a mean increase in IOP with increasing CCT of 0.28 mm Hg/10 µm, an increase of 0.23 mm Hg/10 µm with the Goldmann tonometer, and of 0.10 mm Hg/10 µm with the Tono-Pen. The OBF pneumotonometer consistently recorded comparatively higher IOPs than the other two instruments.
CONCLUSIONS. The Tono-Pen is least affected by CCT when used to measure IOP in eyes with normal corneas. The OBF pneumotonometer appears to be more affected by variation in CCT than the Goldmann tonometer. This is contrary to expectations, based on the mechanism of measurement of IOP of the OBF pneumotonometer.
| Introduction |
|---|
|
|
|---|
| Methods |
|---|
|
|
|---|
Goldmann applanation tonometry was performed in each eye three times and the mean result recorded. Corneal astigmatism was not measured. Tono-Pen tonometry was performed on the central cornea using an instrument calibrated according to the manufacturers instructions. All measurements were made with a disposable latex cover over the tip, which was renewed after each patient. The results of the IOP reading were accepted if the confidence interval was greater than or equal to 95%. OBF pneumotonometry was performed with the updated slit lampmounted probe, in patients sitting upright. Each day before measurements were made, the air pressure generated by the instrument was checked with a manometer and was calibrated according to the manufacturers instructions. Patients were instructed to look at the red fixation target within the probe. The probe tip was applied to the central cornea and, when correctly aligned, a whistling noise sounded. The probe was kept applied to the cornea until five pulses of equal amplitude were recorded. The mean IOP was calculated by the instrument and displayed on an LCD. After all IOP measurements had been made, CCT was measured in each eye with an ultrasonic pachymeter (model SP-2000; Tomey Corp, Cambridge, MA).
For each method of measurement, a regression equation was calculated after plotting IOP against CCT. From the graphs, the apparent increase in IOP per 10-µm increase in CCT was calculated for each instrument. The mean IOP measurements by each of the Tono-Pen and OBF instruments were compared with the measurement by the Goldmann applanation tonometer, by Students t-test. All statistical analyses were performed by computer on right eyes only, to reduce bias (SPSS for Windows, ver. 10.0; SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL).
| Results |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
|
| Discussion |
|---|
|
|
|---|
Obviously, this has important implications in diagnosis and management. It is thus especially important that we know how much different tonometers are affected by different corneal thicknesses, so that we can make appropriate allowances. Furthermore, with the potential risk of transmission of prion proteins, there is a move toward using disposable tonometer heads or protective coverings. In many clinics in Europe, ophthalmologists are switching to the Tono-Pen because of the protection offered by the disposable sheaths. Similarly, the OBF comes with a disposable head and offers the same advantage. If pressures recorded by different instruments in the same patient are to be considered, it is important that we compare these instruments and ascertain the extent to which each may be affected by variables such as corneal thickness.
Shah et al. compared manometric intracameral pressure against Tono-Pen recordings and demonstrated that the Tono-Pen is only slightly affected by corneal thickness (Shah, American Academy of Ophthalmology, New Orleans 1998). Feltgen et al.15 compared the Perkins (Clement Clarke International, UK) and Tono-Pen against manometric measurements and found that the two instruments correlated well and their IOP measurements did not increase significantly with increasing CCT. This corresponds with the findings of our study, in which the slope of the readings (IOP versus CCT) was flattest with the Tono-Pen. Although it was comparatively steeper with the Goldmann tonometer, the difference was not statistically significant. The steeper slopes for the OBF pneumotonometer indicate that it is affected significantly by CCT. It therefore implies that the two applanation instruments are affected less than the contact pneumotonometer.
The Tono-Pen is a small, computerized, handheld instrument that operates on the MacKay Marg principle. It is thought to be relatively unaffected by corneal surface abnormalities,16 unless these are gross (e.g., band keratopathy or glued corneas).17 Previous studies have shown the Tono-Pen to compare favorably with Goldmann tonometry in normal corneas18 19 20 and within normal IOP ranges. Recently, a new instrument has become available to measure IOP by contact pneumotonometry, the OBF pneumotonometer. This is a modified version of that first described by Langham21 and allows measurement of IOP, pulse rate, pulse amplitude, and pulsatile ocular blood flow. The principle of action and the calculation of IOP are complex and are described in detail elsewhere.22 Essentially, the cornea is applanated by a force that is proportional to the initial IOP but is not measured by the pneumotonometer. The resistance to the airflow through the center of the tonometer is then measured.
Theoretically, it has been claimed that the calculation of IOP by pneumotonometers is not affected by CCT, because flexural rigidity of the cornea can be ignored.23 Measurements with the OBF pneumotonometer have been shown to be reproducible,24 and it has been shown to correspond well with the Goldmann tonometer in patients without corneal disease,25 not considering CCT. Although in theory the OBF pneumotonometer should not be affected by CCT, the results of this study suggest otherwise. This probably reflects the mechanism by which it measures IOP. During measurment, the tip of the pneumotonometer is applanated to the cornea. Gas at constant pressure flows down a central hollow tube, pushing against a terminal membrane, deforming the cornea. The gas then escapes into the atmosphere. The resistance offered to the gas is measured as the IOP. This resistance is determined by the IOP and the corneal elastic forces (including CCT).21 Unlike the Goldmann and Tono-Pen instruments, with which the balance of applanating forces on the one hand and IOP and corneal rigidity on the other are the end points of measurement, with the pneumotonometer, the pressure of the air flow has to exceed this equilibrium, to escape. Hence, it is likely that corneal thickness affects the measurements and also that the readings will be higher than recorded by the other instruments. This was indeed what we observed in this study.
In our study, all three instruments were affected by CCT to various degrees. The Tono-Pen appeared to be least affected by different corneal thicknesses and the OBF pneumotonometer appeared to be most affected. There was no statistically significant difference between the readings of the Tono-Pen and the Goldmann tonometers. Another study testing the Tono-Pen with various CCTs shows that IOP increases by 0.29 mm Hg in males and 0.12 mm Hg in females, per 10-µm increase in CCT.26
The Goldmann tonometer was the easiest instrument to calibrate, whereas there was no external check possible on the accuracy of the Tono-Pen calibration system because of the instruments design. The OBF pneumotonometer was the most difficult, uncomfortable, and time-consuming instrument to use, whereas the Goldmann tonometer and Tono-Pen subjectively appeared similar in ease of use for the operator and the comfort of the patient.
We acknowledge that we did not measure astigmatism before measuring IOP and that this may have some impact on the results obtained from the Goldmann tonometer. Another limitation could be that the instruments were used in random order rather than in the same order and with different operators. However, the large number of patients sampled in the study is likely to mitigate the potential effects of these variables.
These findings serve to highlight that IOP measurement alone may be misleading. IOP may need adjustment in patients with CCTs that differ from the population mean. In addition it is important to note that each instrument tested was affected by CCT to differing degrees. These results have important implications in the choice of tonometer for use in patients with different corneal thicknesses in midpressure ranges. Because the Tono-Pen was relatively easy to use and least affected by thickness of various corneas, it seems to be the instrument to use in these patients.
| Acknowledgements |
|---|
| Footnotes |
|---|
Commercial relationships policy: N.
The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C.
1734 solely to indicate this fact.
Corresponding author: Harminder S. Dua, Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, Derby Rd, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; jennie.phillips{at}nottingham.ac.uk.
| References |
|---|
|
|
|---|
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
S. Park, Y. Jamshidi, D. Vaideanu, M. Bitner-Glindzicz, S. Fraser, and J. C. Sowden Genetic Risk for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Determined by LMX1B Haplotypes Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., April 1, 2009; 50(4): 1522 - 1530. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. A. Read, M. J. Collins, and D. R. Iskander Diurnal Variation of Axial Length, Intraocular Pressure, and Anterior Eye Biometrics Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., July 1, 2008; 49(7): 2911 - 2918. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. E. A. Somner, D. S. Morris, K. M. Scott, I. J. C. MacCormick, P. Aspinall, and B. Dhillon What Happens to Intraocular Pressure at High Altitude? Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., April 1, 2007; 48(4): 1622 - 1626. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J M Gonzalez-Meijome, J Jorge, A Queiros, P Fernandes, R Montes-Mico, J B Almeida, and M A Parafita Age differences in central and peripheral intraocular pressure using a rebound tonometer Br. J. Ophthalmol., December 1, 2006; 90(12): 1495 - 1500. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Kaufmann, L. M. Bachmann, Y. C. Robert, and M. A. Thiel Ocular Pulse Amplitude in Healthy Subjects as Measured by Dynamic Contour Tonometry. Arch Ophthalmol, August 1, 2006; 124(8): 1104 - 1108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A Kotecha, E T White, J M Shewry, and D F Garway-Heath The relative effects of corneal thickness and age on Goldmann applanation tonometry and dynamic contour tonometry Br. J. Ophthalmol., December 1, 2005; 89(12): 1572 - 1575. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Kniestedt, S. Lin, J. Choe, A. Bostrom, M. Nee, and R. L. Stamper Clinical Comparison of Contour and Applanation Tonometry and Their Relationship to Pachymetry Arch Ophthalmol, November 1, 2005; 123(11): 1532 - 1537. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. S. Lim, S. S. Wickremasinghe, M. F. Cordeiro, C. Bunce, and P. T. Khaw Accuracy of Intraocular Pressure Measurements in New Zealand White Rabbits Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., July 1, 2005; 46(7): 2419 - 2423. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P-A Tonnu, T Ho, T Newson, A El Sheikh, K Sharma, E White, C Bunce, and D Garway-Heath The influence of central corneal thickness and age on intraocular pressure measured by pneumotonometry, non-contact tonometry, the Tono-Pen XL, and Goldmann applanation tonometry Br. J. Ophthalmol., July 1, 2005; 89(7): 851 - 854. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. G. Pallikaris, G. D. Kymionis, H. S. Ginis, G. A. Kounis, and M. K. Tsilimbaris Ocular Rigidity in Living Human Eyes Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., February 1, 2005; 46(2): 409 - 414. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A C Browning, A Bhan, A P Rotchford, S Shah, and H S Dua The effect of corneal thickness on intraocular pressure measurement in patients with corneal pathology Br. J. Ophthalmol., November 1, 2004; 88(11): 1395 - 1399. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Kniestedt, M. Nee, and R. L. Stamper Dynamic Contour Tonometry: A Comparative Study on Human Cadaver Eyes Arch Ophthalmol, September 1, 2004; 122(9): 1287 - 1293. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Li, L. W. Herndon, S. G. Asrani, S. Stinnett, and R. R. Allingham Clinical Comparison of the Proview Eye Pressure Monitor With the Goldmann Applanation Tonometer and the TonoPen Arch Ophthalmol, August 1, 2004; 122(8): 1117 - 1121. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P Gunvant, M Baskaran, L Vijaya, I S Joseph, R J Watkins, M Nallapothula, D C Broadway, and D J O'Leary Effect of corneal parameters on measurements using the pulsatile ocular blood flow tonograph and Goldmann applanation tonometer Br. J. Ophthalmol., April 1, 2004; 88(4): 518 - 522. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Kaufmann, L. M. Bachmann, and M. A. Thiel Intraocular Pressure Measurements Using Dynamic Contour Tonometry after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., September 1, 2003; 44(9): 3790 - 3794. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
O. J. Lehmann, S. Tuft, G. Brice, R. Smith, A. Blixt, R. Bell, B. Johansson, T. Jordan, R. A. Hitchings, P. T. Khaw, et al. Novel Anterior Segment Phenotypes Resulting from Forkhead Gene Alterations: Evidence for Cross-Species Conservation of Function Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., June 1, 2003; 44(6): 2627 - 2633. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |