Ocular Pulse Amplitude Measurement Using Pascal Dynamic Contour Tonometer in Glaucoma Patients

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to measure and compare the ocular pulse amplitude using Pascal dynamic contour tonometry in normal persons and in glaucoma patients.

Patients and Methods: 20 patients (40 eyes) with primary open angle glaucoma (Group A), 8 patients (16 eyes) with normal tension glaucoma (Group B), and 12 patients (24 eyes) with ocular hypertension (Group C) were included in the study. Control group (Group D) comprised 25 normal volunteers (50 eyes). Intraocular pressure was measured using both Goldmann applanation tonometry in the slit–lamp and Pascal dynamic contour tonometry. Ocular pulse amplitude was evaluated with Pascal dynamic contour tonometry. Statistical evaluation of the differences in ocular pulse amplitude and intraocular pressure among the different groups was performed using Studentʼs t-test.

Results: Mean ocular pulse amplitude values expressed in mmHg were 3.66 ± 1.00, 2.46 ± 0.60, 4.04 ± 1.47, and 2.52 ± 0.52, for Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. The ocular pulse amplitude was significantly higher in Group A (primary open angle glaucoma) and Group C (ocular hypertension) when compared with Group D (control group) and Group B (normal tension glaucoma). No statistically significant difference was detected between Group D (control group) and Group B (normal tension glaucoma).

Conclusions: Although we can measure the intraocular pressure with Goldmann applanation tonometry, no information can be derived regarding the ocular pulse amplitude. The use of Pascal dynamic contour tonometry in intraocular pressure estimation provides useful clinical information also about the magnitude of the ocular pulse amplitude in different types of glaucoma. Pascal dynamic contour tonometry discloses an elevation of ocular pulse amplitude in primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients. On the contrary, the ocular pulse amplitude is within normal limits in normal tension glaucoma patients.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die okulären Pulsamplituden bei Glaukompatienten und Normalprobanden anhand der Pascal-Kontur-Tonometrie zu untersuchen und miteinander zu vergleichen. Patienten und Methoden: Zwanzig Patienten (40 Augen) mit primärem Offenwinkelglaukom (Gruppe A), 8 Patienten (16 Augen) mit Normaldruckglaukom (Gruppe B), und 12 Patienten (24 Augen) mit okulärer Hypertension (Gruppe C) wurden eingeschlossen. Die Kontrollgruppe (Gruppe D) bestand aus 25 Normalprobanden (50 Augen). Der Augeninnendruck wurde mit Goldmann-Applanationstonometrie und Pascal-Kontur-Tonometrie gemessen. Die okulären Pulsamplituden wurden mit Pascal-Kontur-Tonometrie evaluiert. Für die statistische Analyse der okulären Pulsamplituden- und Augeninnendruckergebnissen zwischen der verschiedenen Gruppen wurde der Studentʼs t-Test angewendet. Ergebnisse: Der okuläre Pulsamplituden-Mittelwert in mmHg war 3.66 ± 1.00, 2.46 ± 0.60, 4.04 ± 1.47, und 2.52 ± 0.52, für die Gruppen A, B, C und D. Die okulären Pulsamplitudenwerte waren signifikant höher in der Gruppe A und Gruppe C im Vergleich zur Gruppe D und Gruppe B. Es ergaben sich keine statistisch signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen der Gruppe D und der Gruppe B. Schlussfolgerung: Die Goldmann-Applanationstonometrie kann den Augeninnendruck messen, aber sie liefert keine okulären Pulsamplitudenwerte. Anhand der PDCT es ist möglich, nicht nur den Augeninnendruck zu messen, sondern auch die okulären Pulsamplituden zu evaluieren. Die Messung der okulären Pulsamplituden anhand der Pascal-Kontur-Tonometrie zeigte hohe okuläre Pulsamplitudenwerte bei Patienten mit primärem Offenwinkelglaukom oder okulärer Hypertension. Im Gegensatz waren die okulären Pulsamplitudenwerte im Normbereich bei Patienten mit Normaldruckglaukom.

Key words

ocular pulse amplitude - glaucoma - dynamic contour tonometry

Schlüsselwörter

okuläre Pulsamplitude - Glaukom - dynamische Pascal Kontur-Tonometrie

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