IOP measurement using contact tonometer by MEMS technology

Abstract

One of the most critical bans of mankind is being blind. Yes, how sorrowing it is when you are not able to see this colorful world if you are blind. While we have heard of Cataracts and other macular degeneration, among them one such eye disease is Glaucoma that records affection over 3 million people in the United States. It is also known as “Silent thief” as it shows no symptoms but damages the optic nerve. It is caused mainly due to the pressure that is developed inside the eye known as Intra-Ocular Pressure. There are various tonometric methods at present to diagnose Glaucoma but the techniques are more dangerous to the eye. MEMS technology is one of the most upgrading and developing strategies that has created wonders in medical field. In this paper, we have proposed the concept of contact tonometer that makes use of a MEMS device which acts as a transducer/sensor thereby contacting with the cornea of the affected eye. The received electrical signal from the transducer is then processed and sent to the display indicating IOP. The basic concept and idea of MEMS enabled contact tonometer is found to be the most convenient mode of detection.