Comparison of the keeler pulsair 2000 non-contact tonometer with goldmann applanation

Abstract

The Pulsair 2000 non-contact tonometer (Keeler Ltd, UK) is compared with the Goldmann applanation tonometer. Data from 80 eyes were acquired by four experienced observers. A linear regression analysis showed the relationship between the instruments to be: Pulsair=0.66 + 0.95 Goldmann. Individual components of variation were analysed by analysis of variance which indicated a significant variation in the slope of the regression equation due to observers (p=0.02) but not to the order in which topical anaesthesia was administered. Differences between two Pulsair instruments were of marginal significance (p=0.07). The intercept of the regression equation was unaffected by any of the components of variation. Seventy-nine per cent of averaged intraocular pressure measurements obtained with the Pulsair 2000 fell on or within µ3 mmHg of those measured with the Goldmann tonometer. It is concluded that the Pulsair 2000 can provide clinically useful measurements of intraocular pressure. © 1993, The Ophthalmological Society of the United Kingdom. All rights reserved.