Comparison of the ICare® rebound tonometer with the Goldmann applanation tonometer by experienced and inexperienced tonometrists

Purpose To assess the agreement between ICare(R) rebound tonometer and Goldmann applanation tonometer in the hands of experienced and inexperienced tonometrists. Patients and methods Two tonometrists, experienced with both Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and ICare(R) Tonometry (ICT) measured intraocular pressure (IOP), in a masked fashion, in 100 patients. In another series of 58 patients, ICT was performed by an inexperienced tonometrist and GAT by an experienced tonometrist. Results In approximately 80% of patients, the difference in IOP between GAT and ICT was <= 2 mmHg in group 1 and <= 3 mmHg in group 2. The 95% limits of agreement were -4.0-4.4mmHg in group 1 and -6.0-5.0 mmHg in group 2. Conclusion ICT compares reasonably with GAT, in both experienced and inexperienced hands. Its ease of use, portability, and sterility make it an attractive tonometer. Its degree of accuracy in inexperienced hands would make it a useful instrument for health care workers with limited ophthalmic experience.