Use of disposable prism tonometry in routine clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the reliability, efficacy, and safety of disposable prism tonometry and validate its routine use for screening as well as monitoring of glaucoma.


METHODS
Intraocular pressure (IOP) of 400 eyes of 200 consecutive patients who attended the general ophthalmic clinic was checked with both the Goldmann applanation tonometer and a disposable tonometer prism by an experienced examiner after obtaining informed consent. The data were statistically analysed.


RESULTS
The mean difference in the IOP between the two types of prisms was 0.1 mmHg (SD+/-1 mmHg).


CONCLUSIONS
Disposable prism tonometry provides a reliable, effective, and safe alternative to Goldmann reusable prism tonometry for routine screening as well as monitoring of glaucoma with the advantages of eliminating the need for chemical disinfection and therefore eliminating the risk of crossinfection.
Salvi
S M
SM
Department of Ophthalmology, The Ayr Hospital, Ayr, UK. karansalvi@aol.com
Sivakumar
S
S
Sidiki
S S
SS
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000191:economics; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006113:United Kingdom; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods