Ocular decompression devices: liquid mercury balloon vs the tungsten powder balloon.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if an intraocular pressure (IOP)-reducing device containing tungsten powder decreases pressure comparably to the traditional mercury-containing apparatus.


METHODS
Prospective randomized, single-blind, controlled, phase I equivalence study.


METHODS
At a tertiary care center, both eyes of 24 volunteers with normal IOP were treated with an ocular compression device containing either liquid mercury or tungsten powder. The IOP was measured at baseline and after 10 minutes of ocular compression.


RESULTS
The mean reduction in IOP was 3.6 mm Hg +/- 2.0 with the mercury-containing device and 4.4 mm Hg +/- 2.1 with the tungsten-filled apparatus. An equivalence study analysis using a paired t-test and a sequential analysis protocol did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the IOP-lowering effects of the two devices.


CONCLUSIONS
The IOP-lowering effect produced by a tungsten powder-filled balloon ocular decompression device compared with a traditional mercury-containing device was not statistically different.
Gayer
Steven
S
ABLEH, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL 33136, USA. Sgayer@med.miami.edu
Denham
David
D
Alarakhia
Karim
K
Bernal
Andres
A
Cardenas
Gabriel
G
Duncan
Robert
R
Parel
Jean-Marie
JM
D001458:Bandages; D002404:Catheterization; D003664:Decompression / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008628:Mercury; D011208:Powders; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014414:Tungsten
D011208:Powders; D008628:Mercury; D014414:Tungsten