A FORCE FEEDBACK TONOMETER

摘要

Apparatus and method for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) comprising a vibrator (13) which transmits a vibrational energy into an eyeball (12) through the eyelid (11) and measures at least one of a force or phase response in the eyeball. The measurements are taken by placing the tonometer (10) against the eyelid to induce vibration in the underlying eyeball. A force transducer (16) coupled to the vibrator measures the response of the eyeball from which a vibrational impedance of the eye is determined. Intraocular pressure is then calculated based on the vibrational impedance. In a preferred use of the apparatus, the tonometer is calibrated against a known intraocular pressure measurement permitting the patient to take subsequent relative IOP measurements at home or otherwise outside a traditional medical setting without the need for anesthetic or fear of infection.