Comparison of ICare rebound tonometer with noncontact tonometer in healthy children

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of using a noncontact tonometer (NCT) versus a rebound tonometer (ICare) when measuring the intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy children.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Methods: A total of 180 (96 males and 84 females) healthy children, aged 6 months to 15 years, were recruited. IOPs were measured using both the NCT and ICare devices in the absence of anesthesia. A successful outcome was defined as the measurement of the IOP in both eyes. The McNemar test for comparing correlated proportions was used to analyze the ICare and NCT data.

Results: Although the IOP was successfully measured in 160 children (88.9%) when using ICare, we were only able to successfully measure 130 children (72.2%) when using NCT. Below the age of 6 years, measurement of the IOP using ICare was better tolerated as compared with the NCT (McNemar test; P<0.001). The mean differences (95% limits of agreement) for the IOP readings between ICare and NCT in right and left eyes were 0.90±6.40 and 1.18±6.19 mm Hg, respectively.

Conclusions: IOP measurements performed using ICare are better tolerated in the pediatric population, as compared with measurements using NCT, especially in children below the age of 6 years.