[Comparison of tonometry with the Keeler air puff non-contact tonometer "Pulsair" and the Goldmann applanation tonometer]. / Vergleichende Tonometrie mit dem Keeler Luft-Impuls Non Contact-Tonometer "Pulsair" und dem Applanationstonometer nach Goldmann.

ABSTRACT

Intraocular pressure (IOP) readings were performed with the Keeler Air-Puff Non-Contact Tonometer "Pulsair" in 126 patients before (NCT1) and after (NCT2) applanation-tonometry with the Goldmann device (GAT). For the whole population of 126 patients, in each of whom only one eye was selected, there was a significant difference of the mean IOP measurement, but the difference between the two measurement methods was only slightly significant when the NCT was applied before the GAT, and highly significant vice versa. Also the variation of the NCT-measurements was significantly larger than that for the GAT, while the before- and after GAT measurements had equal variations. If only the measurements under 18 mmHg mean GAT are taken into account (n = 101), the difference between GAT and NCT1 was not significant (p = 0.437), as opposed to the GAT-measurements above 18 mmHg, where a highly significant difference between the means was found (p = 0.0033). In most cases, the IOP-readings were underestimated using NCT. The Non Contact Tonometer "Pulsair" could be used for IOP-readings in patients with increased risk of infection, as well as in those with known allergic reactions to topical anesthetic agents, with poor or absent fixation ability, with corneal edema, and postoperative after anterior-segment surgery. The possibility of IOP-measurement in a reclined position is a true advantage of the Non-Contact Tonometer presented here. A measuring strategy for the above-mentioned applications is presented.