Reliability of Handheld Rebound Tonometer When Reusing Handheld Rebound Tonometer Probes

Abstract

Background: The iCare® Pro handheld rebound tonometer (HRET) is a reliable and portable tonometer. Although the probes have been indicated for single use, many healthcare practitioners reuse the probes after disinfection with alcohol. Only one result has been reported the validity of reusing HRET probes on artificial corneas. Objective: To determine the reliability of HRET when reusing HRET probes in glaucoma and glaucoma suspected patients. Materials and Methods: The present study was prospective and observational. HRET was performed on 58 sitting-position participants by a single experienced examiner. Individual measurements were shown digitally in mmHg. Each participant’s intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using a new probe, and the test was repeated 3 additional times with the same probe after being wiped with a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab between each test. A total of four IOP values were recorded for each participant, and subsequent data trends were analyzed. Results: Fifty-eight eyes of 58 participants were enrolled in the present study. The mean IOP values of the new, the first reuse, the second reuse, and the third reuse of the HRET probes were 13.8+2.6, 13.9+2.9, 13.8+2.7 and 13.6+2.5 mmHg, respectively. The IOP values were analyzed using the Bland-Altman method which showed agreement between the new, first reuse, second reuse, and third reuse measurement values of the same HRET probe. There was a statistically significant difference between the IOP measurements obtained using the new HRET probe testing and those obtained from reusing the HRET probe for the third time by paired t-test (p=0.005). Conclusion: There was good agreement of IOP measurements between the new, first reuse, and second reuse measurement values of the same HRET probe. © JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND