Effect of sterilization methods on the reliability of the ICare rebound tonometer

              OPT 7062
Optometry Project III
Effect of Sterilization Methods on the Reliability of
the ICare Rebound Tonometer
Andrew Young*, Seth Geiger*, Spencer Johnson†
Word count 2,857
Three tables
Submitted on 11/26/16
ABSTRACT
Purpose. The ICare rebound tonometer is utilized in optometry, ophthalmology, and other health
practices worldwide. The ICare tonometer utilizes disposable probes, which are often cleaned
and reused. No data was present on whether this recycling of probes affected the reliability of the
IOP measurements; this paper set out to determine whether cleansing and reuse affects reliability
of the ICare tonometer.
Methods. ICare tonometry was performed on subjects with sterilization performed with alcohol
swabs between patients. The IOP readings produced each time were recorded and subsequent
data trends analyzed.
Results. Two tailed standard t-tests were performed on the obtained measurements, comparing
the initial measurements with the second measurements obtained after first disinfection, and also
between the initial measurements and the second disinfection. No statistically significant change
was found between the groups. Cronbach’s alpha, an indicator for reliability of a testing
procedure, was calculated for the data series and found to be 0.967, which indicates excellent
reliability between the three data groups.
Conclusion. The statistical tests obtained from the data did not show a statistical difference
between the three groups and did show good reliability between the groups. The study concludes
that reliability of the ICare tonometer probe is ilkely not affected by repeated disinfection and
reuse.
Key Words: ICare, tonometry, alcohol swab, probe
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*BS
†OD
Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry