Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement is a critical component of ocular health, particularly in the detection and management of glaucoma. While some tonometry methods, such as Goldmann applanation, Tono-Pen, and iCare tonometers on the market, they come with a host of clinical limitations and pain points. These methods rely on corneal contact, some requiring numbing drops, disposables, and or adjustments for corneal thickness, all of which can introduce inaccuracies and patient discomfort.
The Diaton Transpalpebral Scleral Tonometer offers a modern solution. By measuring IOP through the upper eyelid and sclera, Diaton eliminates the need for corneal contact. This innovation provides significant benefits to ophthalmologists, optometrists, cornea specialists, glaucoma specialists, hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care clinics and community glaucoma screening programs.
Pain Points of Traditional Contact and Non-Contact Tonometers
1. Corneal Variability and Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) Influence
- Pain Point: Goldmann, Tono-Pen, iCare and even Airpuff of non-contact tonometers are heavily influenced by corneal thickness (CCT). Thicker corneas can overestimate IOP, while thinner corneas may underestimate it, leading to incorrect glaucoma diagnosis or mismanagement.
- Diaton Solution: Diaton tonometer measures IOP via the sclera and eyelid (not via cornea), making it independent of CCT, ensuring accurate readings regardless of corneal thickness.
2. Impact of Corneal Biomechanics
- Pain Point: Post-LASIK, PRK, or other corneal surgeries, biomechanical changes can distort IOP readings with standard tonometry.
- Diaton Solution: Since Diaton tonometer bypasses the cornea, post-surgical alterations have no impact on the reading, making it the preferred method for patients with corneal surgeries.
3. Patient Discomfort and Anxiety
- Pain Point: Contact tonometry (Goldmann, Tono-Pen, iCare) requires corneal contact, which can induce discomfort, anxiety, and blinking reflexes. This can lead to inaccurate measurements or repeated attempts.
- Diaton Solution: Diaton tonometer provides a painless, non-contact experience by measuring IOP via the eyelid, which is ideal for pediatric, elderly, and anxious patients.
4. Risk of Cross-Contamination
- Pain Point: Contact tonometers pose an infection risk due to contact with the cornea, requiring sterilization between patients or the use of disposable tips.
- Diaton Solution: Diaton’s non-contact design avoids direct contact with mucous membranes, reducing infection risk and the need for sterilization.
5. Consumable Costs
- Pain Point: Devices like Tono-Pen and iCare require disposable tips for each measurement, leading to significant operational costs.
- Diaton Solution: Zero consumables. The Diaton requires no tips, probes, or covers, offering a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution for clinics and hospitals.
6. Technical Skill and Complexity
- Pain Point: Goldmann tonometry requires specialized training and technical skill to achieve accurate readings.
- Diaton Solution: Ease of use enables ophthalmic technicians, nurses, and other healthcare personnel to conduct tonometry accurately, reducing reliance on highly trained professionals.
Advantages and Benefits of the Diaton Transpalpebral Scleral Tonometer
- Accurate: Unlike traditional methods affected by corneal pathologies or surgeries, Diaton’s readings are consistent and reliable, regardless of corneal health.
- No Corneal Contact: Safe, painless, and non-invasive, Diaton bypasses the cornea, reducing anxiety and eliminating the need for anesthetic drops.
- Ease of Use: Ophthalmic technicians, nurses, and trained assistants can perform the IOP measurements, streamlining workflow and increasing patient throughput.
- Portable and Lightweight: Ideal for fast pace ophthalmic clinics, emergency rooms, bedside care, and mobile screenings, the handheld device is simple to transport.
- Mass Glaucoma Screening Efficiency: No need to remove contact or scleral lenses, no anesthetic drops required, and no dry eye complications for patients after screening.
10 Clinical Use Cases Where Traditional Tonometers Struggle but Diaton Excels
- Post-LASIK and PRK Eyes
- Problem: Altered corneal thickness distorts traditional tonometry.
- Diaton Solution: Measures through the sclera and eyelid, unaffected by surgical changes.
- Corneal Edema
- Problem: Swollen corneas distort IOP readings, requiring pachymetry adjustments.
- Diaton Solution: Bypasses the cornea, ensuring consistent IOP readings.
- Keratoconus Patients
- Problem: Irregular corneal surfaces cause unreliable readings with Goldmann, Tonopen, Airpuff and iCare.
- Diaton Solution: Measures through the sclera, unaffected by corneal shape.
- Post-Keratoprosthesis (Boston KPro Type 1) Patients
- Problem: The artificial cornea makes traditional IOP measurement nearly impossible.
- Diaton Solution: Trans-scleral measurement allows for accurate IOP in these patients.
- Pediatric Patients
- Problem: Children may not tolerate corneal contact or numbing drops.
- Diaton Solution: Quick, painless, and non-invasive, ideal for children.
- Post-Corneal Transplant Patients
- Problem: Fragile grafts are at risk of dislodgment with corneal contact methods.
- Diaton Solution: No corneal contact required, ensuring safe IOP measurement.
- Patients with Eye Trauma
- Problem: Swelling, bleeding, or foreign bodies make corneal tonometry difficult.
- Diaton Solution: Measures IOP safely through the eyelid, even with trauma. (some contraindications may apply)
- Contact Lens and Scleral Lens Wearers
- Problem: Removal of lenses is time-consuming and disruptive to patient care.
- Diaton Solution: No need to remove lenses; IOP can be measured accurately by pulling the lid above the lens edge.
- Patients with Dry Eye Syndrome
- Problem: Numbing drops required for traditional tonometry exacerbate dry eye.
- Diaton Solution: No drops required, avoiding dry eye symptoms post-exam.
- Glaucoma Screening in Mass Population Events
- Problem: Time-consuming sterilization, anesthesia drops, replacement tips, cover or probes and equipment prep.
- Diaton Solution: Fast, painless, no consumables, No Risk of Infecting due to no contact with mucous membrane and contact lens-friendly.
The Role of Ophthalmic Technicians
Ophthalmic technicians play a pivotal role in screening and diagnostic workflows. With traditional methods, the specialized training required for Goldmann applanation or other contact tonometry methods often makes it a task for optometrists or ophthalmologists. In contrast, the Diaton tonometer empowers ophthalmic technicians to accurately measure IOP. This enhances patient flow and enables doctors to focus on diagnosis and treatment rather than routine screening tasks.
Mass Glaucoma Screening Events
Community screening events aim to identify individuals with glaucoma risk factors. Efficient IOP measurement is essential, but traditional tonometry requires setup time, anesthesia, and corneal contact, causing long wait times and dry eye side effects. The Diaton tonometer streamlines mass screening events by offering:
- No anesthetic drops (no dry eye afterward)
- No need for replacement tips, probes or covers
- No need for constant calibration (some tonometers require calibration, Diaton tonometer is pre-calibrated, ready to be used out of the case)
- No removal of contact or scleral lenses
- Faster patient flow (measurements in under 2 seconds)
- No Risk of Infecting (Diaton tonometer does not touch the cornea, allows to measure through the upper eyelid)
In Summary
The Diaton Transpalpebral Scleral Tonometer is transforming tonometry by eliminating the pain points of corneal-based tonometers. It excels in patient comfort, technician usability, and adaptability for pediatric or sensitive patients, contact lens wearers, and post-surgical eyes. For hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and glaucoma screening programs, Diaton tonometer offers a fast, cost-effective, and accurate IOP measurement method that improves clinical efficiency and patient satisfaction.
With a zero-waste, consumable-free design, it also supports sustainability goals while lowering operational costs. The Diaton tonometer is not just an alternative—it’s a clinical necessity for modern ophthalmic care.
For more information, visit TonometerDiaton.com or call 1-877-342-8667
