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Ex vivo evaluation of Tono-Pen and pneumotonometry in cat eyes
Josef Stoiber1, Viviana Fernandez, Peggy D Lamar
1Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136, USA.
Purpose:
To evaluate the validity and intraobserver reliability of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with both pneumotonometry and the Tono-Pen in a closed ex vivo system in cat eyes.
Methods:
IOP was increased step by step in 5 enucleated cat eyes, while taking IOP measurements with the Tono-Pen and pneumotonometry. The outcomes were compared to readings of a digital manometer simultaneously measuring the actual pressure in the anterior chamber.
Results:
Pneumotonometry overestimated IOP below 15 mm Hg and underestimated pressures above 20 mm Hg. Tono-Pen tonometry considerably underestimated IOP over the whole spectrum in all of the eyes tested. The pneumotonometer was identified as the more valid and reliable instrument for cat eyes.
Conclusion:
Both tonometers are clinically useful tools to assess IOP for glaucoma studies using a cat animal model. However, one has to consider underestimation of IOP in the upper ranges. A correction formula can be used to calculate the actual IOP.
