Limitations of the TheraMon® -microsensor in monitoring occlusion therapy
Charlotte Schramm1, Annegret Abaza1, Gunnar Blumenstock2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
Purpose:
A proof of principle study showed that the TheraMon® -microsensor can reliably measure wearing times of glasses and occlusion patches while having no discomfort for the bearer. The goal of this study was to identify specific temperature profiles in a larger patient group wearing the microsensor with an occlusion patch on the eye, the forehead or in the trouser pocket.
Methods:
Temperature measurements with microsensors were performed at the orbital rim of the eye, at the forehead and in a trousers pocket of 20 healthy adults. The temperature measurements were analysed comparing the three locations using a repeated-measures anova with a 0.050 two-sided significance level.
Results:
There was no significant temperature difference in wearing the microsensors at the orbital rim compared to forehead (p = 0.507). A significant difference could be detected if the microsensors had been in trousers pockets as compared to being positioned at orbital rim/forehead (p = 0.001). The study participants reported easy handling and comfortable wearing.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates for the first time that TheraMon® -microsensors are fully operational in monitoring occlusion therapy in a larger group of patients (20 adult study participants). Because of the microsensor's ease of handling further studies in a larger group of children is recommended.
