Análise da aferição dos tonômetros de aplanação de Goldmann em serviços oftalmológicos de Recife

Tonometer calibration in Brasília, Brazil

“…Little difference was observed between calibration of tonometers used for twenty or less patients per day as compared to those used for a higher number of patients. These data agrees with those obtained by some authors (13) , but contradict others (12) . Most tonometers are checked at least annually, however, all three tonometers which were checked with a frequency greater than annual presented calibration error, with two of them showing inaccuracy at the three evaluated positions.…”

“…In a similar investigation conducted in Recife, PE, in northeastern Brazil, which used the same criteria for calibration error as that of our study, Costa et al found 12.7%, 25.3% and 10.1% tonometers with calibration errors at positions "0", "2", and "6", respectively (13) . In that study, it was observed that 25.3% of tonometers presented a calibration error, a quite (21) , still a quite smaller number than that found in the present study.…”

“…This numbers are higher compared to that obtained by Costa et al, where percentages were 39.0% and 10.5%, respectively (13) . In the same way, Wessels & Oh observed 33.0% and 12.6%, respectively, confirming a significant relationship between the tonometer model and calibration (12) .…”

“…Recent studies reported a high prevalence of calibration errors GAT (12)(13) which may confound the ophthalmologist regarding both the diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma suspects and glaucoma patients. Through personal information given to one of the authors (GMV) by a technician responsible for the maintenance of optical instruments in the Federal District (DF, where Brasília, capital of Brazil, a city of 2.5 million inhabitants is located), we heard of the low demand for tonometer calibration service in the region.…”