Self-tonometry: technical aspects of calibration and clinical application.
Self-tonometry could be established as an important diagnostic tool in the early diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma provided that a self-tonometer is precise, safe and easy to use. Furthermore, it has to comply with the legal standards for tonometer calibration. A new software-controlled detection system for the self-tonometer permits the evaluation of external factors during the measurement which influence the precision of the tonometric readings. The updated version of the self-tonometer (ST) was compared to the Draeger hand-held applanation tonometer (HAT) in a clinical study with 82 patients (151 eyes). The results show a regression line characterized by a slope of 0.99, an y interception of 1.41, a correlation coefficient of 0.96 and a standard deviation for the ST readings of +/- 1.78 mmHg. Self-tonometry improves the IOP monitoring as well as patient compliance and therefore is a potential diagnostic tool in the management of glaucoma.
Groenhoff
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Hamburg, Germany.
Draeger
J
J
Deutsch
C
C
Wiezorrek
R
R
Hock
B
B
D002138:Calibration; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular / Q000295:instrumentation*