Comparative study between schiotz tonometer and goldmann applanation tonometer in glaucomatous and normal individuals

Abstract

Checking of intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the basic investigations in a general ophthalmology work up. In this study we attempted to compare the IOP readings obtained by Goldmann applanation tonometer and Schiotz indentation tonometer in glaucomatous and normal individuals attending general ophthalmology OPD in a tertiary care centre in Central Rajasthan. It is a case series study in which IOP was checked in patients using two tonometers. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the agreement between instruments.: In this study, when measured with Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), it was found that the mean IOP of both right and left eye in group A (Glaucomatous subjects) (24.19±12.94 and 23.34±13.73 respectively) was significantly higher than mean IOP of both right and left eye in group B(non glaucomatous subjects) (15.06±2.49 and 15.12±2.38 respectively). Likewise, when measured with Shiotz tonometer (ST), mean IOP of both right and left eye in group A (26.05±11.93 and 24.65±12.28 respectively) were very significantly higher in comparison to group B (16.79±2.64 and 16.85±2.47 respectively).The mean pressures obtained by the Schiotz tonometer were higher than the mean Goldmann pressures which indicate that the Schiotz tonometer tends to read higher than the Goldmann tonometer.