Correlation between central corneal thickness, applanation tonometry, and direct intracameral IOP readings.

BACKGROUND Several authors reported incorrect high intraocular pressure (IOP) values in eyes with a thick cornea using applanation tonometry. This hypothesis was checked by comparing applanation tonometry with direct intracameral manometry. METHODS 73 patients, scheduled for intraocular surgery, were enrolled. Immediately before surgery, the following were registered: (i) central corneal thickness (CCT), (ii) applanatory IOP (Perkins/Tonopen), and (iii) intracameral IOP. RESULTS The difference between applanatory and intraocular measurements was completely independent of CCT (y= -3.43 + 3.8x; where y is the difference between applanatory and intracamerally measured IOP (mm Hg) and x is CCT (mm); r(2) = 0.002; p = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS There is no systematic error of applanation tonometry with increasing CCT. Therefore it is inadequate to recalculate IOP based on regression formula of applanatory IOP versus CCT.