spotlight on technology & technique
Two In One
This combination tonometer and pachymeter is the first of its kind.
By John Parkinson, Associate Editor

The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study identified a thinner-than-normal central cornea and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) as two prominent risk factors for developing glaucoma. This study, along with others, has increased the awareness and importance of using central corneal thickness (CCT) and IOP measurements in diagnosing and managing the disease.

The ATP can measure IOP and central corneal thickness as well as calculate an adjusted IOP.

To help practices care for glaucoma suspects and patients, Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments has developed the ATP Auto Non-Contact Tonometer/Pachymeter. This is the only combination device on the market that can measure both CCT and IOP. Once the operator captures both measurements, he or she can use the ATP's built-in nomogram to calculate an adjusted (aIOP) measurement.

How It Works

When preparing for testing, patients should lean straight forward so the center of their foreheads rest directly in the middle of the rubber forehead pad. The patient's head should be perpendicular to the front of the ATP.

The patient will then need to fixate on a green light target located inside the air tube. When the patient is positioned at the forehead rest, a measurement can be taken by pressing the measurement icon. To secure results, operators should instruct patients to blink a few times, and then hold both their eyes open and look directly into the machine's green light.

To start the CCT measurement process, the operator must select which eye is being measured, by using the select eye icon. The operator then removes the pachymeter probe from its clip and presses the probe icon to activate the instrument. The operator then asks the patient to fixate on an object on the ceiling or on the wall, and the operator will position the probe tip on the cornea. The ATP will then take measurements automatically.

aIOP

The aIOP feature can be activated once the IOP and the CCT measurements have been taken. The ATP will update and display the aIOP. The device's nomogram is based on the Ehlers-Stodmeister correction algorithm.

Eliot Lazar, M.D., who practices in Buffalo, N.Y., utilizes this feature when patients' corneas are a departure from the norm. "I use the IOP adjusted nomogram for patients whose corneas deviate significantly from the average, especially for establishing target pressures in these patients," explains Dr. Lazar. "For example, patients with extremely thin corneas, who appear to have normal pressure may actually have higher pressure than reported by a traditional tonometer. The adjustment algorithm enables me to manage this patient more effectively."

While the aIOP feature is very helpful to him, Dr. Lazar says the quickness and simplicity of establishing measurements with the ATP are the biggest reasons he likes this combination device. "I can take both measurements on a patient in minutes. I find that this instrument is easy to use and I can generally delegate these measurements to my talented staff with a high level of confidence," states Dr. Lazar.

And being able to take the measurements in a quick and efficient manner allows Dr. Lazar to keep patients' best interests in mind.

Contact Information

Reichert's ATP is available today. For more information, call the company at (888) 849-8955.