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Evaluation of a disposable prism for applanation tonometry
S P Desai1, S Sivakumar, P T Fryers
1Department of Ophthalmology, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, UK. spdesai@doctors.org.uk
Eye (London, England)
|July 14, 2001
Summary
A new disposable tonometer prism shows close agreement with the standard Goldmann device for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP). Its high sensitivity and specificity suggest it could be valuable for routine eye screening.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Device Technology
- Clinical Measurement
Background:
- The Medical Devices Agency recommends single-use ophthalmic devices for patient safety.
- Concerns exist regarding the reuse of ophthalmic instruments that contact the eye surface.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a disposable tonometer prism for applanation tonometry.
- To assess its accuracy and reliability compared to a standard Goldmann tonometer.
Main Methods:
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in 100 patients (197 eyes) using both disposable and Goldmann tonometers.
- Agreement between the two devices was statistically assessed.
- Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the disposable prism were calculated.
Main Results:
- The mean difference in IOP measurements between the disposable and Goldmann prisms was 0.44 mmHg (SD 1.54).
- The disposable prism demonstrated high sensitivity (95.9%) and specificity (93.9%) in detecting elevated IOP (> 21 mmHg).
- Positive predictive value was 83.9%.
Conclusions:
- The disposable tonometer prism demonstrates close agreement with the Goldmann device for IOP measurement.
- Its high diagnostic accuracy supports its potential use in routine eye screening.
- Further replication of these findings would strengthen its clinical adoption.