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Can the Tono-Pen replace the Schiøtz tonometer in general practice?
T Christoffersen1, K Holtedahl, U Ringberg
1Eye Department, University Hospital of Tromsø, Norway.
Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
|February 5, 1999
Summary
The Tono-Pen digital tonometer is a viable alternative to traditional Schiøtz tonometry in general practice. Its measurements show clinically acceptable differences in intraocular pressure (IOP) for routine eye exams.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Devices
- General Practice
Background:
- Schiøtz tonometry is a traditional method for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP).
- General practitioners (GPs) require reliable and accessible tools for eye examinations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Tono-Pen, a handheld digital tonometer, as a potential replacement for Schiøtz tonometry in general practice settings.
- To compare the accuracy and agreement of IOP measurements between the Tono-Pen and Schiøtz tonometer.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving tonometry with both the Tono-Pen and Schiøtz tonometer.
- Two general practitioners (GPs) performed measurements on 48 consecutive patients over 40 years of age.
- Analysis focused on the mean difference and 95% limits of agreement for intraocular pressure (IOP) readings.
Main Results:
- One GP reported a mean difference of 0.3 mmHg with 95% limits of agreement of +/- 4 mmHg.
- The second GP showed a mean difference of approximately -2 mmHg with 95% limits of agreement from -8 to +4 mmHg.
- The maximum mean difference observed was 1.9 mmHg, considered within clinically acceptable limits.
Conclusions:
- The Tono-Pen demonstrates potential as a practical alternative to Schiøtz tonometry in general practice.
- While variations in agreement were noted between observers, the Tono-Pen's performance is deemed clinically acceptable for routine IOP assessment.