Clinical evaluation of rebound tonometer.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the reliability and repeatability of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements using a new rebound tonometer.

METHODS

Intraocular pressure was measured in 42 healthy human eyes of subjects aged 18-30 years (mean +/- standard deviation [SD] 21.5 +/- 3.2 years) using the ICare Rebound and Goldmann tonometers in two separate sessions.

RESULTS

Intraocular pressure measurements were found to read slightly, but not significantly, higher with the ICare tonometer compared with the Goldmann instrument in both sessions (first session: mean bias +/- SD + 0.50 +/- 2.33 mmHg; second session: mean bias +/- SD + 0.52 +/- 1.92 mmHg). Limits of agreement between repeated readings were +/- 5.11 mmHg for measurements taken with the ICare tonometer, compared with +/- 3.15 mmHg for measurements taken with the Goldmann method.

CONCLUSION

Measurement of IOP in normal, healthy subjects using the ICare rebound tonometer produced a small, statistically insignificant, positive bias when compared with the Goldmann tonometer. Intersessional repeatability of IOP taken with the ICare is poorer than that of IOP taken with the Goldmann tonometer, but is comparable with that of other non-Goldman-type tonometers currently available.