Rebound tonometry for the measurement of intraocular pressure and its relation with gender and refractive errors in Mozambique

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the university student population in an urban region in Mozambique using rebound tonometry. A cross-sectional study with a random selection of students was conducted. IOP was measured after an optometric examination that included uncorrected visual acuity testing, static retinoscopy and subjective refraction without cycloplegia. Refractive error data were converted into spherical equivalent. IOP of the participants was assessed with the Icare® rebound tonometer (Tiolat Oy, Helsinki, Finland). A total of 422 subjects (197 men and 225 women) between 17 and 26 years of age were examined. The mean value of IOP of the whole sample was 14.32 ± 3.30 mmHg. Statistically significant differences in IOP values were not found between men and women (p = 0.564) nor among refractive groups (p=0.725). In conclusion, rebound tonometry has been demonstrated to be a convenient and effective method for measuring IOP in this population. Icare can be considered as an adequate instrument for measuring IOP under the conditions of this population because it does not require much training, does not require an anesthetic and uses disposable probes, which is essential in countries with a high risk of transmission of infectious diseases.