Automated, Noncontact Intraocular Pressure Home Monitoring after Implantation of a Novel Telemetric Intraocular Pressure Sensor in Patients with Glaucoma: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Purpose. Reliable and regular assessment of intraocular pressure (IOP) is important for the monitoring of patients with glaucoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a novel system for the automated, noncontact measurement of IOP. Patients and Methods. A first-generation telemetric IOP sensor was previously implanted in the ciliary sulcus of six patients with open-angle glaucoma during cataract surgery. Using this technology, automated noninvasive tonometry may be performed in a home setting. In the present study, a modified sleep mask and a modified eyepatch with incorporated coil antennae for measurements during nighttime and daytime, respectively, were tested on a single patient. Results. In this feasibility study, the 24 h wear of the prototype measuring apparatus was well tolerated. Three sequences of 24 h IOP measurements with at least 200 IOP measurements per day were performed (Sequence 1: mean 19.6 ± 2.7 mmHg, range 13.4-28.7 mmHg; Sequence 2: mean 21.0 ± 3.0 mmHg, range 13.1-30.5 mmHg; Sequence 3: mean 19.9 ± 2.4 mmHg, range 12.6-27 mmHg). Conclusions. For the first time, repeated and automated 24-hour measurements are possible using a prototype noncontact reading system after implantation of a novel telemetric IOP sensor in patients with glaucoma.