Premature ventricular systole detection by applanation tonometry.

We first identified (and probably stimulated) premature ventricular systoles in six patients while performing Goldmann applanation tonometry. One patient developed atrial fibrillation and one patient had a follow-up electrocardiogram showing increasing numbers of these extra systoles without any other abnormalities. Just as in tonography, these were detected during applanation tonometry as rapid decreases in intraocular pressures followed by a gradual return to prior levels. The decrease in measured intraocular pressure was occasionally 8 mm Hg but usually was between 2 and 5 mm Hg. These systoles probably occurred during the first part of applanation tonometry and during the first few office visits.