Elsevier

Ophthalmology

Volume 94, Issue 12, December 1987, Pages 1541-1544
Ophthalmology

Clinical Comparison of the Oculab Tono-Pen to the Goldmann Applanation Tonometer

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(87)33249-XGet rights and content

Abstract

The Oculab Tono-Pen tonometer was compared with the Goldmann applanation tonometer through studies on 197 eyes of 103 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension to evaluate the reliability of the Tono-Pen in determining intraocular pressure (IOP). Patients were randomized into four groups and all applanations were done by the same investigator. The Tono-Pen initially used (Tono-Pen #1) failed to calibrate after being used on 77 eyes. Tono-Pen #2 was then obtained and tested. Each Tono-Pen showed high correlation with the Goldmann readings (r ≥ 0.86 in both eyes). The overall sensitivity of the Tono-Pen in detecting IOPs of 21 mmHg or higher (as measured by the Goldmann instrument) was 62.1 % in right eyes, 72.4% in left eyes, with corresponding specificities of 92.6% in the right and 97.1 % in the left. Given the substantial increase in sensitivity noted with Tono-Pen #2, the Tono-Pen appears adequate for screening programs where an IOP of 21 mmHg or above is considered abnormal; however, at higher IOPs (≥30 mmHg) the Tono-Pens tended to underestimate Goldmann IOPs. At low IOPs (≤9 mmHg) the Tono-Pens tended to overestimate the IOPs. Perhaps with further modifications of the instrument, it could be used for clinical diagnosis and management of glaucoma patients.

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Supported in part by a departmental grant from. Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc, New York, and Pharmacia Intermedics Ophthalmics (with no financial obligation). The authors have no financial interest in Pharmacia Intermedics Ophthalmics qr in the instrumentation tested in this study.

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