A NEW ELECTROMECHANICAL METHOD FOR MEASURING INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE

A new electromechanical method to measure intraocular pressure is pres ented. A light probe was made to collide with an eye (cornea or sclera ) and to bounce back. The impact was registered by an acceleration sen sor or the duration of contact with the eye was measured using the phe nomenon of the electrical conductivity of biological objects. Laborato ry experiments were carried out using pig eyes pressurized with water leveled to different heights. Preliminary clinical trials were carried out comparing the values obtained with those of the Goldmann applanat ion tonometer. The time of contact and the deceleration time decreases and the deceleration maximum increases in proportion with IOP. A new kind of tonometer can be constructed based on this principle. Measurem ent can be performed to cornea or sclera without an anesthetic drop. F urther study is required to evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of th is method.