■ To accurately describe the IOP measurement profile of rebound tonometry (RT), researchers conducted prospective, cross-sectional studies of the intraoperator, interoperator, and interdevice reliability of the iCare rebound tonometer. The device’s proprietary rebound technology enables quick IOP measurements, with an ergonomic, intuitive design for accurate, safe operation, the researchers wrote. The study results indicated that RT could characterize IOP fluctuations more robustly than Goldmann tonometry.

As reported in the Journal of Glaucoma, investigators at the West Virginia University Eye Institute undertook 3 prospective cross-sectional studies in distinct adult patient groups with established glaucoma (28 subjects), suspected glaucoma (19 subjects), or no glaucoma (25 subjects). In study 1, participants experienced 5 RT measurements in 1 eye selected at random, and then 5 Goldmann tonometry measurements in the other eye by the same device operator. Intraoperator variability was assessed using the F test. In study 2, three different operators each took 3 RT measurements in random operator order. In study 3, an operator collected 3 measurements with 3 randomly ordered RT devices. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to characterize interoperator and interdevice reproducibility.

In RT measurements, within-subject variance across subjects was 0.757, and variance was 2.471 in Goldmann measurements (P=.0035), according to the study. The RT measurements’ interoperator reproducibility was good in both eyes, and interdevice reproducibility was good to excellent.

The reduced measurement variability, good interoperator reproducibility, and good interdevice reproducibility of RT indicated that it can characterize IOP fluctuations more robustly than Goldmann tonometry, which ultimately can help clinicians assess the effectiveness of glaucoma therapies and the consistency of intraocular pressure control strategies, the investigators wrote.