Agreement between diurnal variations of intraocular pressure by Tono-Pen and Goldmann applanation tonometer in patients on topical anti-glaucoma medication

To estimate agreement in diurnal variations of intraocular pressure (IOP) by Tono-Pen (TP) and Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) in glaucoma patients on topical anti-glaucoma medication(s). IOP was measured at every 3 h from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. in 50 eyes of glaucoma patients on topical medication(s). Diurnal fluctuation of IOP by each method was calculated as maximum–minimum IOP in a day. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured by ultrasonic pachymeter. There was good correlation between TP and GAT at all times during a day, minimum, and maximum IOPs during a day (Correlation coefficient, 0.706 at 7 a.m., 0.624 at 10 a.m., 0.682 at 1 p.m., 0.814 at 4 p.m., 0.652 at 7 p.m., 0.572 at 10 p.m., 0.668 minimum IOP, 0.689 maximum IOP). Mean IOPs by TP were always higher than GAT at all times during a day. Bland–Altman plots suggested a close relationship between the two sets of readings, and that this relationship was consistent at different times in a day, in maximum IOPs, minimum IOPs and also in fluctuation of IOPs. Linear regression analysis between the differences of diurnal fluctuation (diurnal fluctuation by GAT-diurnal fluctuation by TP) and CCT showed strong association (R2 = 0.857, p < 0.001). The mean change in difference of diurnal fluctuation (GAT–TP) for a 10-micron increase in CCT was 0.69 mmHg. TP can be considered a reliable alternative to GAT in glaucoma patients for knowing the diurnal control of IOP; however these two methods should not be used interchangeably. Difference of diurnal fluctuation between two methods is dependent on CCT.