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Br J Ophthalmol 2002;86:120-121 doi:10.1136/bjo.86.1.120
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IOP measurement and central corneal thickness

  1. Richard Stodtmeister1,
  2. Martina Kron2,
  3. Wilhelm Gaus2
  1. 1St Elisabeth Hospital Rodalben (Palatinate), Turnstrasse 24, D-66953 Pirmasens, Germany
  2. 2University of Ulm, Department of Biometry and Medical Documentation, Schwabstrasse 13, D-89075 Ulm, Germany
  1. Correspondence to: Professor Dr med Richard Stodtmeister; Stodtmeister{at}t-online.de

    In the recent paper by Feltgen and colleagues,1 the intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry and by using a cannula inserted into the anterior chamber connected with a pressure transducer. Thus, the measurement took place omitting a possible influence of the cornea on the result. Marx et al2 believed that by intracameral measurement the “true” intraocular pressure may be measured. Feltgen et al share his opinion. They believe, therefore, that they have compared the intraocular pressure measured with and without the possible influence of the cornea.

    Feltgen et al write in their conclusion: “There is no systematic error of applanation tonometry with increasing central corneal thickness (CCT). Therefore it is inadequate to recalculate IOP based on regression formula of applanatory IOP versus CCT.” They base their conclusion on their results. In our opinion their paper shows the following methodological deficits: (1) Both methods used for measuring IOP are not up to the demands of the scientific technique of measurement; (2) their intracamerally measured IOP values do not reflect the true IOP because of bias; (3) a non-significant regression coefficient does not prove that the slope is actually 0 and, therefore, by a non-significant regression coefficient it is not proved that applanatory readings are not influenced by CCT; (4) the goodness of fit of the linear regression model is insufficient; and (5) an important covariate (true IOP value) was omitted in the linear regression. We would like to discuss these points in detail.

    In the study of Feltgen et al the only criterion for the quality of measurement is the stability of the readings on the monitor. However, it is not sufficient to conclude from the presence of stability that the scale readings represent the “true” pressure value that is at the tip of the cannula. …

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