2Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Göz Kliniği Başasistanı, İzmir, Op. Dr
3Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Göz Kliniği Şef Yard., İzmir, Op. Dr.
4Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Göz Kliniği Şefi, İzmir, Prof. Dr. Purpose: To determine the effect of the eyelid squeezing on the intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and to compare the difference of IOP between the patient with or without glaucoma.
Materials and Methods: Between January 2002 and March 2003, 400 eyes of 200 patients admitted to our clinic were randomly included in this study. IOP was separately measured by the same examiner in both eyes using Goldmann applanation tonometry. IOP was measured both with and without the patient squeezing their eyelids, holding the eyelid open without applying a pressure the globe. The data obtained were compared between the two groups statistically.
Results: There were116 men and 84 women in this study. The mean age was 51.26±15.28 (15-78 years). Seventy six patients had a history of glaucoma. IOP was measured 15.64±3.25 (10-25) mmHg and 19.83±3.78 (12-32) mmHg before and after eyelid squeezing respectively. The difference of IOP between two measurements was 3.66±1.45 (0-8) mmHg and it was statistically significant (p<0.001). The difference of IOP after eyelid squeezing was also statistically significant between the patients with and without glaucoma (p=0.047).
Conclusion: Eyelid squeezing during tonometry is a common error in routine measurement of IOP, especially for the patient who is newly diagnosed for glaucoma. The patient should be measured under comfortable situation to take reliable measurements of IOP and the procedure performed should be explained in detail to the patients.
Keywords : Intraocular pressure, eyelid squeezing, glaucoma