[Clinical evaluation of the dynamic rebound tonometer Icare]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Optometry

Context:

• Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement is crucial for diagnosing and managing glaucoma.
• Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) is the gold standard but requires specific conditions.
• Newer devices like the Icare tonometer offer potential advantages in ease of use and speed.

Purpose:

• To assess the intra- and interobserver variability of IOP measurements using the Icare tonometer.
• To evaluate the correlation of Icare IOP measurements with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT).
• To investigate the influence of central corneal thickness (CCT) on Icare IOP measurements.

Summary:

• The Icare tonometer demonstrated low intra- and interobserver variability, comparable to GAT.
• Icare generally overestimated IOP compared to GAT, with a mean difference of 1.5-2.2 mmHg in normal subjects and 0.84 mmHg in ocular hypertensive patients.
• In glaucomatous patients, Icare IOP was not significantly different from GAT, and Icare measurements showed a stronger correlation with CCT.

Impact:

• The Icare tonometer offers reproducible IOP measurements with minimal patient cooperation and a short learning curve.
• Its reliability is influenced by CCT, suggesting its utility as a screening device for ocular hypertension when combined with CCT assessment.
• Icare provides a valuable alternative for IOP measurement, particularly in settings where GAT may be challenging to perform.