[Results of clinical evaluation of a new screening method for determining the individual normal level of intraocular pressure].

ABSTRACT

The paper presents the results of practical application of a new screening method for determining tolerant intraocular pressure (TIOP) on a Blood Flow Analyzer (Paradigm, USA). Studies were conducted on 331 eyes (205 subjects). Group 1 consisted of 80 patients (126 eyes) without glaucoma being found, with intraocular pressure (IOP) in the average normal range, but with a TIOP excess of 1-8 mm Hg (a risk group); Group 2 included 15 subjects (20 eyes) without glaucoma with normal IOP in whom TIOP exceeded the existing IOP by 1-7 mm Hg; Group 3 comprised 110 patients (185 eyes) with Stage I-III primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with compensated IOP. Morphofunctional studies revealed glaucoma in 95 (75%) eyes in the risk group Stages II and I in 61 and 30%, respectively; and advanced glaucoma in 9%. At the same time, there was a close correlation of the probable detection of glaucoma with the existing degree of a TIOP excess. No cases of glaucoma were observed in Group 2. The determination of TIOP and morphofunctional changes over time in Group 3 revealed a stable glaucomatous process in 99% of cases in which IOP was lower than or equal to TIOP, as well as progressive glaucomatous neuropathy in 91% in which compensated LOP exceeded TIOP. The results of the study in Group 3 suggest that the index TIOP may be used as a guide of IOP in the treatment and monitoring of POAG. The presented data indicate that the determination of the level of TIOP is a required element of both standard ophthalmological examination and monitoring of glaucoma.