[Applanation tonometry within medical diagnostic "check-up" programs (author's transl)]

Within medical diagnostic "check-up" programs intraocular pressure measurements by applanation tonometry from 8899 patients (5924 men, 66.6%; 2975 women, 33.4%) were statistically evaluated. The frequency of each i.o. pressure show no Gaussian distribution but is skewed to the right with marked excess to higher values of i.o. pressure. Correlation of mean i.o. pressure with age shows (starting in the group of the 20-24 years old to the 75-79 years old persons) a rather linear progression of i.o. pressure. The mean value of i.o. pressure (n = 17,798 eyes) was x = 16.25 mm Hg, the standard deviation +/- 3.45, the standard deviation of the mean +/- 0.03 mm Hg. In men in 2.18% in women in 1.81% higher i.o. pressure than 21 mm Hg was found. I.o. pressure higher than 24 mm Hg have 0.66% of the men and 0.58% of the women. Patients forty years old and elder showing in 4.92% of the men and 4.88% of the women higher i.o. pressure than 21 mm Hg. In patients fifty-five years old and elder in 5.75% of the men and respectively in 6.69% of the women i.o. pressure higher than 21 mm Hg was found. Incidences of elevated i.o. pressure from patients over forty years old in ten years steps are presented. In 103 patients with unilaterally i.o. pressure higher than 24 mm Hg 12% presents manifest diabetes mellitus. The usefullness of applanation tonometry as a practicable screening method for early glaucoma detection within medical diagnostic "check-up" programs is outlined. Advantages of data-aquisition and -processing systems to continue those studies are emphasized.