Experimental simulation for determining optimal design parameters of a transpalpebral tonometry sensor

Abstract

To determine optimal design parameters of a transpalpebral tonometry sensor (the weight and diameter of the rod) based on experimental simulation. The study has been conducted in situ at the forensic analysis department with 12 eyes of 5 men and one woman aged 49 to 71 years. Comparison between the tonometric pressure and the true pressure measured with direct manometric technique ensured the accuracy of transpalpebral tonometry data and helped select optimal sensor parameters. For this purpose, an experimental assembly was designed and produced, comprised of a testing stand with a system of tubes filled with distilled water, an indicating pressure gauge calibrated by the height of the water column, a millimeter scale on a holder, as well as a needle with connecting tubes and two valves. No statistically significant differences between the tonometric and manometric level of pressure in the eye were observed when using a sensor weighing 16 g with rod diameter of 1.5 or 3 mm. Only an insignificant dependence of the tonometry data on the thickness of the eyelid was noted at high levels of intraocular pressure (IOP). The experimental study conducted on the developed assembly has allowed us to substantiate the choice of optimal design parameter for a transpalpebral IOP measurement sensor. A transpalpebral tonometer with such sensor characteristics can be recommended for comparative clinical study, as well as for determination of its effectiveness in dynamical monitoring of the IOP levels.