Diagnostic apparatus and method to provide effective intraocular pressure based on measured thickness of the cornea

摘要

A method of and apparatus for determining intraocular pressure, automatically corrected for variations in corneal thickness. The apparatus includes an ophthalmic pachymeter having a pachymetric probe, an applanation tonometer having an applanation probe and a microprocessor. As the applanation probe touches the cornea, the ophthalmic pachymeter generates a pachymetric signal indicative of central corneal thickness. This signal is sent to and recorded by the microprocessor. When applanation occurs, the applanation tonometer generates an applanation signal indicative of intraocular pressure. This signal is sent, as well, to the microprocessor. The microprocessor, which has been programmed with an algorithm to correct the applanation signal based on the pachymetric signal, indicates the corrected value for intraocular pressure.