Comparison of Intraocular Pressure between Air Puff Tonometer and Goldmann Applanation Tonometer at a Tertiary Eye Care Centre

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of air puff (AP) tonometer by comparing the measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) made using this device with those made using a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) at Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex.  Method: An observational and comparative study was carried out at Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex from January 2016 to January 2017. Two techniques for IOP measurements using the standard GAT and the non-contact tonometer (NCT) were compared. A total of 400 eyes from 200 patients were included in the study. Results: The mean IOP as measured by GAT in the right eye was 14.50±5.59mmHg and in the left eye was 14.87±7.03mmHg while that as measured by NCT in the right eye was 15.97±6.12mmHg and in the left eye was 15.94±6.98mmHg. The mean difference between the two methods of measurement in the right eye was 1.47±0.53mmHg and the left eye was 1.07±0.05mmHg. The readings obtained by NCT were higher than those obtained by GAT. There was no statistically significant difference found in IOP measurements between GAT and NCT according to patient’s age, gender or laterality of eyes.  Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the measurement of IOP between GAT and NCT. Goldmann applanation tonometry remains the most suitable and reliable method for measuring IOP.