Clinical Application of Pressure Phosphene Tonometer: Comparison with Goldmann Applanation Tonometer in Normal Subjects

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical usefulness of the pressure phosphene tonometer (Proview(R)) compared with the Goldmann applanation tonometer. METHODS: Ninety four eyes of 50 patients, aged from 3rd decade to 6th decade and with intraocular pressure (IOP) ranging from 9 to 21 mmHg, were measured by Proview(R) 5 times each. The average of these values was compared with the value measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer. Twenty eyes of 10 patients, aged from 3rd decade to 4th decade, were trained repeatedly and measured again by the same method after 1 month. RESULTS: IOP measured by Proview(R) was statistically higher than that with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (p<0.05). The difference between the two measurements for patients in their 5th and 6th decades was more than in their 3rd and 4th decades. Nevertheless, the measurement difference decreased and the correlation coefficient increased between the devices in the repeatedly trained group (r=0.923). CONCLUSIONS: In measuring IOP, the pressure phosphene tonometer (Proview(R)) is not suitable in elderly or newly adapted patients, but it provides significant values in young and repeatedly trained group.