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Automated Applanation Tonometry - Updated

Automated Applanation Tonometry - Updated

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07298356
Enrollment
200
Registered
2025-12-23
Start date
2026-03-02
Completion date
2026-12-29
Last updated
2026-03-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Glaucoma, Glaucoma, Suspect

Brief summary

Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT) is considered the clinical gold standard for eye pressure measurements and yet it is known to be a subjective measurement with limited repeatability and limited portability. Another clinical standard for checking eye pressure is known as the pneumotonometer. This method is more objective but not portable. The purpose of this study is to develop new methods of measuring eye pressure that are more objective, reproducible and portable. In this study, the investigators will be comparing the eye pressure measurements using 2 investigational methods to GAT and pneuumotonometer.

Detailed description

This is a prospective study. Patients presenting for their scheduled eye appointments will be recruited by verbal communication. Following informed consent, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements will be made by the following methods: Standard Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT): this is the standard method for IOP measurement in clinical practice. The eye is given topical fluorescein/anesthetic, the GAT prism contacts the eye while the observer looks through the slit lamp machine ocular using blue light illumination to visual the applanation mires. The GAT dial is adjusted until mire alignment is achieved and the IOP measurement is read off the GAT dial. Pneumotonometer: This is what is done in routine eye care. The participant will receive a topical anesthetic (numbing agent). A probe will touch the front of the eye while the machine measures the eye pressure. Fixed force GAT: From the patient perspective, this method will feel identical to the standard GAT. The eye is given topical fluorescein/anesthetic. The GAT dial is set at 1.8 or 2.0, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (C-MOS) camera is connected to one of the oculars of the slit lamp machine and under blue light illumination, the GAT prism contacts the eye while the CMOS camera makes a video of the mire appearance through the ocular. The diameters of the recorded mire images are measured and the IOP is calculated based on the mire diameter. A similar method using an iPod touch camera has been previously published by this PI. Upright applanating prototype: With this prototype, an applanating prism (custom manufactured with medical grade acrylic in an ISO-13485 certified facility) is attached to a fixed-force spring that creates a force equivalent to 1.8 or 2.0 on the GAT dial. Blue LED lights on the prototype are used to create the blue illumination similar to the blue light used in clinical practice on the slit lamp or Perkins tonometer. A C-MOS camera is aligned with the GAT prism to image the applanation mires. The eye is given topical fluorescein/anesthetic. Like fixed-force GAT, the GAT prism contacts the eye while the CMOS camera makes a video of the mire appearance. The diameters of the recorded mire images are measured and the IOP is calculated based on the mire diameter. The order of the above 4 measurements will be randomized.

Interventions

Standard Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT): this is the standard method for IOP measurement in clinical practice

An investigational device similar to standard GAT

An investigational device, prism used in standard and fixed-force GAT is attached to a portable device

DEVICEPneumotonometer

This is a standard for checking eye pressure. A topical anesthetic (numbing agent). A probe will touch the front of the eye while the machine measures the eye pressure

Sponsors

Duke University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

In this 2 investigational methods (Fixed-force GAT and handheld tonometer) will be compared to the 2 standard methods (Standard GAT and pneumotonometer).

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Criteria: Inclusion Criteria: * Presenting for a routine eye exam * ≥ 18 years of age * Able and willing to give consent

Exclusion criteria

* History of corneal scarring * Active infection of the eye * Ocular surface trauma or infection

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Intraocular pressure (IOP) as measured by standard GATBaselinethis is the standard method for IOP measurement in clinical practice. The eye is given topical fluorescein/anesthetic, the GAT prism contacts the eye while the observer looks through the slit lamp machine ocular using blue light illumination to visual the applanation mires. The GAT dial is adjusted until mire alignment is achieved and the IOP measurement is read off the GAT dial.
Intraocular pressure (IOP) as measured by fixed force GATBaselineFrom the patient perspective, this method will feel identical to the standard GAT. The eye is given topical fluorescein/anesthetic. The GAT dial is set at 1.8 or 2.0, a C-MOS camera is connected to one of the oculars of the slit lamp machine and under blue light illumination, the GAT prism contacts the eye while the CMOS camera makes a video of the mire appearance through the ocular.
Intraocular pressure as measured by upright applanatingBaselineWith this prototype, an applanating prism (custom manufactured with medical grade acrylic in an ISO-13485 certified facility) is attached to a fixed-force spring that creates a force equivalent to 1.8 or 2.0 on the GAT dial. Blue LED lights on the prototype are used to create the blue illumination similar to the blue light used in clinical practice on the slit lamp or Perkins tonometer. A C-MOS camera is aligned with the GAT prism to image the applanation mires. The eye is given topical fluorescein/anesthetic. Like fixed-force GAT, the GAT prism contacts the eye while the CMOS camera makes a video of the mire appearance. The diameters of the recorded mire images are measured and the IOP is calculated based on the mire diameter.
Intraocular pressure as measured by supine PneumotonometerBaseline

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTSarah Jones
sarah.jones1@duke.edu919 681 6584
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJoanne Wen, MD

Duke Eye Center

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 7, 2026