by Joel Harrison
15. September 2010 14:54
Measuring intraocular pressure is the most important diagnostic tool in preventing glaucoma-related vision damage. The disease’s early symptoms are imperceptible to patients, so it is necessary to conduct screening examinations on a large scale. However, traditional tonometry can only be performed at specially equipped doctors’ offices and requires patients to take out their contact lenses, which may be very inconvenient.
Diaton Tonometry, just approved for sale in Australia, uses a revolutionary concept consisting of measuring intra-ocular pressure through the eyelid, thus allowing patients who wear contact lenses to keep them throughout the examination. In addition, this feature makes it possible to examine patients with various diseases, such as keratitis, keratotone, corneal dimness as well as patients right after LASIK/LASEK/PRK surgeries.
The device, resembling a pen, is also very small, allowing practitioners to carry it with them wherever they go, making IOP tests available to immobilised patients.
The new test may constitute a breakthrough in the management of glaucoma, which poses a growing problem around the world.