A new electronic tonometer for ocular epipalpebral measurements

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring is crucial for glaucoma detection.
• Current tonometry methods often require specialized handling by ophthalmologists.
• The need for accessible, automated IOP measurement for early disease detection is significant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new electromechanical electronic tonometer for automated intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement.
• To develop a device for non-invasive IOP assessment on a closed eyelid.
• To lay the groundwork for a domestic tonometer comparable to clinical thermometers.

Main Methods:

• Design and development of a microcontroller-based electronic tonometer.
• Implementation of a fully automatic measurement process.
• Testing a laboratory prototype to determine ocular physical properties under variable epipalpebral force.

Main Results:

• The electronic tonometer operates automatically without requiring ophthalmologist intervention.
• The device can be applied easily and safely on a closed eyelid.
• The prototype allows for data acquisition on IOP evolution for research purposes.

Conclusions:

• The developed electronic tonometer shows potential for early glaucoma detection through accessible IOP measurement.
• The device's design facilitates future integration into a domestic clinical setting.
• Further research with the prototype can yield valuable insights into ocular biomechanics and IOP dynamics.