Ziemer Pascal Symposium Topples Goldmann Pedestal

The PASCAL Dynamic Contour Tonometer displays excellent measurement precision with similar repeatability limits and tighter reproducibility LoA than the Goldmann applanation tonometer. 

In conjunction with the recent World Glaucoma Congress held in Boston, Ziemer conducted a PASCAL Breakfast Symposium entitled "Precision Tonometry". David Garway-Heath MD of Moorfields Eye Hospital UK chaired the distinguished panel and discussed recent results obtained with the PASCAL Dynamic Contour Tonometer. Tony Realini MD of West Virginia University, Andreas Boehm MD of the University of Dresden, Leon Herndon MD of Duke University Eye Centre, and Elliot Kirstein MD of Harpers Point Eye Associates also presented their views on how the PASCAL compares with other tonometers in terms of accuracy, reliability, and repeatability.

Tony Realini began the symposium with the paper Tonometry 2009: Methods and Applications. He concluded that the PASCAL IOP correlates well with manometric ("true") IOP and that it is relatively free of biomechanical artefact.

In his presentation, entitled Dynamic Contour Tonometry in Comparison to Intracameral IOP Measurements, Andreas Boehm stated that the PASCAL is now the most accurate Tonometer.

David Garway-Heath named the PASCAL as the most reproducible tonometer in his lecture, Reliability and Reproducibility of IOP measurements with the PASCAL DCT. He also presented findings that indicate the repeatability of the PASCAL was as good as or even better than the Goldmann.

The Clinical Utility of Ocular Pulse Amplitude by Leon Herndon demonstrated that the PASCAL measurement of OPA is indicative of the severity of glaucoma, with a low OPA indicating increased damage to the optic nerve. Elliot Kirstein added that low OPA is an indicator for early, pre-perimetric glaucoma damage in his paper, Repetitive Intraocular Pressure Sampling and Ocular Blood Flow

In addition to the positive results presented by the international symposium panel, the question, “How can we obtain a reliable IOP measurement in post-LASIK patients?” was posed during the main session of the World Glaucoma Congress. James Brandt of the University of California answered, “There is only one solution, use the PASCAL.”

“Although we have known this for a long time,” explains Juerg Blaser of the Ziemer Group, “The PASCAL is now receiving the global recognition that it so rightly deserves from leading experts in the field of intraocular pressure.” The PASCAL symposium reinforced James Brandt’s sentiment when he stated that ‘the Goldmann applanation tonometer is no longer on a pedestal as a ‘gold standard’ instrument.” (International Glaucoma Review, Vol. 11-1)

For more information on the PASCAL Dynamic Contour Tonometer, contact Carleton Ltd. on 01494 775811.