Corneal sensitivity with non‐contact air jet esthesiometry compared with mechanical esthesiometry

Abstract

AbstractPurpose: The aim of the study was to assess the safety of the measurements taken with a new non‐contact esthesiometer ‐Brill Engines esthesiometer (BEE) and to compare the sensitivity obtained with the Cochet‐Bonnet esthesiometer (CBE).Methods: Sixty‐eight eyes of thirty six healthy volunteers were included in the study. Corneal central sensitivity was measured with the new BEE and with the CBE, with a 0.08 mm of diameter nylon monofilament. Measurement was performed according with the manufacturer instructions. BEE was mounted in the slit lamp and CBE measurement was used manually. A sub‐umbral esthesiometry strategy was performed. To assess whether the data followed a normal distribution, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used. Likewise, the data obtained with the BEE were compared with those obtained with the CBE. A 95% confidence level was considered statistically significant. Measurements obtained with the CBE esthesiometer were converted to millibar for their comparison with the obtained with the BEE.Results: Sixty‐eight eyes of thirty six consecutive healthy volunteers, 30.6% males and 69.4% females, underwent and complete the participation in the study. No adverse effected, ocular surface or corneal damage were detected and both test were well tolerated by volunteers. Correlation between both esthesiometers ICC was −0.123. (Table. 1). Bland Altman plots showed the great majority of data were inside the boundaries (2 SD).Conclusions: A new non‐contact air jet corneal esthesiometer was tested in healthy volunteers with good tolerance, no adverse effects. It is not essential to exert so much force on the ocular surface to determine the sensitivity of a healthy cornea and, BEE is more sensitive compared with CBE. To confirm the pressure margins of BEE at each level and know the intervals in subjects with eye conditions, more studies will be conducted in the future with a more diverse population.Brill Engines esthesiometer could be used as easy use, non‐invasive and portable alternative of the Cochet Bonnet esthesiometer.