Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9570
ISSN: 2155-9570
Noor Al Anazi, Mohammed Al Almai, Mohammed Khuthaila and Essam Osman
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Exp Ophthalmol
Intraocular Pressure (IOP) is the fluid pressure inside the eye; it is a fundamental parameter in conditions of ocular health.
Despite the development of other modes of IOP measurement, the Goldmann tonometer (GT) remains the gold standard in
the clinical environment. GT need calibration process periodically. These machines may give false readings if left un-calibrated
for long time which may lead to deterioration of ocular health. This study was conducted to estimate the calibration errors of
GT in different ophthalmology departments and to clarify the importance of keeping these machines calibrated and maintained.
The study aims to raise awareness among health care practitioners. This observational cross sectional study based on estimating
the calibration errors in two major hospitals, King Abdulaziz Medical City and King Abdulaziz University Hospital in different
ophthalmology clinics and departments using a special device called Calibration Error Weight Bar at three different levels (0,
20 and 60) mmhg and readings were recorded. Calibration errors were classed to <=0.5, 1 and >=1.5 mmhg; the machines with
error readings above 0.5 needs to be calibrated. A total of 30 machines were evaluated in regular clinics, emergency department,
wards and screening clinics. A small number of machines used in clinics had error more than 0.5, the other machines in
emergency, wards and screening clinics had error less than 0.5. This study suggests GT in the clinics are prone to error, so a more
rigorous maintenance program for calibration needs to be considered. We recommend conducting a similar study at tertiary
Ophthalmology centers.
Noor Al Anazi is a 5th year Medical Student (final year) at King Saud University. She graduated from College of Medicine on 7th May 2015. She will start her internship in
July 2015. She is a Member in Ophthalmology Interest Group at King Saud University.