[Self-tonometry--technical possibilities and clinical significance]

Abstract

Since 1975, four selected glaucoma patients and their relatives have attended the Department of Ophthalmology at Hamburg University, for instruction in home tonometry using the Draeger motor-driven hand applanation tonometer. Two glaucoma patients whose intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by their physicians were also included, in order to analyse long-term monitoring of the IOP by medical staff. Home tonometry has been performed over several years and has proved to be a reliable and precise diagnostic tool allowing valuable treatment and close follow-up of glaucoma, especially in severe forms of glaucoma. The benefits of patient's participation in their own disease monitoring, e.g., self-measurement of blood pressure in patients with arterial hypertension, show that such involvement can lead to more diagnostic security and better compliance. On the basis of applanation tonometry calibrated by Goldmann, new concepts of microprocessor-controlled assessment of the applanation area are outlined. These sensor tonometers will allow automatic, precise and fast self-measurement of the intraocular pressure, opening up new perspectives in the management of glaucoma.