Background: Glaucoma is one of the
most common causes of blindness in the Western world. For white persons, the
cumulative probability of open angle glaucoma is 4.2%. At 20-years’ follow-up,
the cumulative probability of glaucoma-related blindness in at least one eye
was estimated to be 27%, and for both eyes, it was estimated to be 9%. One
major risk factor is the increased intraocular pressure.
Purpose: To describe a new method
for telematic control of the intraocular pressure.
Method: Patients measured the
intraocular pressure several times a day with a portable device (Ocuton S,
EPSA, Saalfeld, Germany). The resulting measurement values were then entered
into a portable digital assistant (3Com's PalmPilot). At a later time these
values were transmitted by a modem to the central MedStage server (Siemens,
Erlangen). In case of increased levels of the intraocular pressure an e-mail
was automatically sent to the eye doctor. To him the pressure curve inclusive a
statistical analysis was displayed in an easily readable chart by the
communication software MedStage (Siemens, Erlangen). If necessary the eye
doctor was able to sent an e-mail to his patient directly from the Website of
the pressure curve. N=15 patients with glaucoma were continuously examined.
Results: Selftonometry with telematic
control of intraocular pressure enabled a continuous evaluation of the
patient by the eye doctor. Intraocular pressure curves over weeks and months
were a novel parameter evaluating patients with glaucoma. This approach
offered the advantage to control the treatment remotely and to optimize his
workflow. Advantages for the patient were that the measurements were easily
done at home under normal conditions, and that he gains independence by
controlling when the measurement and data transmission will be performed.
Conclusion: The telematic control of the
intraocular pressure is a cost-effective procedure enabling the very early
diagnosis of pathologically increased values of the intraocular pressure. The
system runs by the patient in telematic communication with the eye doctor.