Underestimation of intraocular pressure after photorefractive keratectomy : a biomechanical analysis

• Excimer laser surgery, to correct corneal refraction, induces changes in corneal thickness and curvature. Both factors can cause measurement errors when determining intraocular pressure (IOP). This study evaluates effects of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on IOP measurements, using Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and Applanation resonance tonometry (ART), in an in vitro model. Six porcine eyes was enucleated and pressurised to a constant IOP = 30 mmHg. After removal of the epithelium, the eyes were PRK-treated for a total of 25 dioptres. The measured IOP decreased 13.2 mmHg for GAT and 9.0 mmHg for ART. The total underestimation by GAT was larger than for ART, and a part of the ART underestimation (3.5 mmHg) was assigned to sensitivity to the change in corneal surface structure resulting from the removal of epithelium. The flat contact probe of GAT, as compared with the convex tip of ART, provided explanation for the difference in IOP measurement error after PRK.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Oftalmologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Ophthalmology (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Medicinteknik -- Annan medicinteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Medical Engineering -- Other Medical Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Refractive correction

Laser

Applanation resonance tonometry

Goldmann applanation tonometry

Glaucoma

Measurement error

Eye

oftalmiatrik

ophthalmology

Medical Engineering for Healthcare

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)