A Minimally Invasive Device for the Monitoring of 24-hour Intraocular Pressure Patterns

Abstract

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor for glaucoma, and lowering of IOP remains the mainstay of glaucoma treatment. IOP is a dynamic biologic parameter, nevertheless, current glaucoma management usually relies on single IOP measurements during clinic hours. However, a majority of glaucoma patients have their high, including their highest, IOP levels outside clinic hours. These undetected IOPs may explain why certain patients have progressive disease despite treatment. The interest in continuous 24-hour IOP monitoring started over half a century ago, but only recent technologic advances have provided clinicians with a practical device for continuous IOP monitoring. In this article, we discuss innovative approaches with permanent and temporary devices for 24-hour IOP monitoring, such as a contact lens sensor. Despite being in their infancy, these devices may soon enable clinicians to use 24-hour IOP data to improve glaucoma management and reduce the glaucoma-related burden of disease.