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Digital palpation of intraocular pressure
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-6485, USA.
Background And Objective:
Previous studies investigating the accuracy of digital palpation through the eyelids to estimate intraocular pressure (IOP) have shown disappointing results. In this study, the accuracy of digital assessment of IOP by palpation of the bare cornea is investigated.
Materials And Methods:
The IOP of a cadaveric eye model was varied from 5 to 40 mm Hg in increments of 5 mm Hg. Two examiners, one experienced and one inexperienced, digitally palpated the corneas and estimated IOP. The results were compared before and after a 1-hour training session.
Results:
Prior to the training session, the experienced examiner guessed correctly 46% of the time and was correct within 5 mm Hg 100% of the time. The inexperienced examiner guessed correctly 21% of the time and was within 5 mm Hg 62% of the time. After the training session, the experienced examiner's score did not significantly (38% correct, 88% within 5 mm Hg, P = .05.
Conclusions:
Digital assessment of IOP by palpation of bare cornea is accurate when performed by experienced individuals. A minimal amount of training using the eye model may improve one's accuracy.