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Comparison of the iCare with the Perkins tonometer

Instruments
Tina Romanay compares the performance of two hand-held tonometers

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In general optometric practice, measuring IOP using air-pulse tonometers has proven to be a valid and reliable technique,5,6 although some studies have shown accuracy to decline above specified readings.7,8 It is in these instances that practitioners then revert to the traditional gold standard Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) or its portable counterpart the Perkins tonometer.9,10

While GAT is considered accurate as a result of its mechanical design and reduced variability in repeated IOP measurements compared to air-pulse instrumentation,11 it is still associated with its own limitations. Practically, it requires the use of topical anaesthesia which is known to sting and cause patient discomfort. Furthermore, studies have shown lower IOP readings to be attained when using topical anaesthetics.12

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