Icare-Pro Rebound Tonometer Versus Hand-held Applanation Tonometer for Pediatric Screening

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Optometry
• Ocular Diagnostics

Background:

• Accurate intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring pediatric glaucoma and other eye conditions.
• Traditional tonometry methods in children may require anesthesia, complicating clinical practice.
• The development of non-invasive, anesthesia-free IOP measurement devices is essential for pediatric eye care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements between the new Icare-Pro rebound tonometer and the hand-held Goldmann applanation tonometer (Perkins).
• To evaluate the reliability and agreement of the Icare-Pro for pediatric IOP assessment in a clinical setting.
• To determine if the Icare-Pro can be used effectively in children without the need for general anesthesia.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 173 healthy children aged 1-16 years.
• Three IOP measurements were taken with both the Icare-Pro and Perkins tonometers in a single session.
• Central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and axial length were also recorded for correlation analysis.

Main Results:

• A strong linear correlation (r = 0.87) was found between Icare-Pro and Perkins IOP readings.
• Icare-Pro measurements were slightly higher (mean difference: 0.26 ± 1.58 mm Hg), with good agreement (ICC = 0.857).
• Low correlations were observed between IOP and central corneal thickness or age; no correlation with axial length or anterior chamber depth.

Conclusions:

• The Icare-Pro rebound tonometer demonstrates good correlation and agreement with the Perkins tonometer for pediatric IOP measurements.
• The Icare-Pro is a suitable device for routine clinical IOP assessment in children, eliminating the need for general anesthesia.
• This finding supports the use of the Icare-Pro as a practical and reliable tool in pediatric ophthalmology.