THE COMPARISON OF INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE MEASUREMENT BY GOLDMANN APPLANATION TONOMETER AND NON-CONTACT AIR PUFF TONOMETER: A CROSS-SECTIONAL RESEARCH

Objective: The aim of this particular research was to determine the accuracy and frequency of intraocular pressure which measured with the help of an Air Puff (non-contact tonometer); moreover, we also confirmed the same by Goldmann applanation tonometer.

Material and methods: Our research design was cross-sectional and it was carried out at Ophthalmology Department of Mayo Hospital, Lahore (February to July 2017) on a total of 240 patients. All the patients were in the age bracket of (10 – 70) years including males and females. The selection process included those patients who visited Eye OPD for regular intraocular pressure, refraction, glaucoma, cataract surgery and suspected glaucoma.  A complete ocular assessment was mandatory for every individual participating in the research.

Results: In the age bracket of (10 – 70) years the mean age was (43.844 ± 15.434) years and the values of mean IOP was for Goldmann Applanation Tonometer as (18.92 ± 8.852) mmHg and for Air Puff Tonometer as (21.463 ± 9.456) mmHg. The different measurement ranges for Air-Puff Tonometer and Goldmann Applanation Tonometer was respectively (10 – 54) mmHg and (11 – 58) mmHg.

Conclusion: In order to measure intraocular pressure, the method of Air puff tonometer is non-contact and quick. Air Puff tonometer is effective for screening purposes; whereas, the intraocular pressure measurements are accurately measured through Goldmann applanation tonometer.

Keywords: Tonometry, Glaucoma, Goldmann Applanation Tonometer and Air Puff Tonometer.