Tonometric intraocular pressure reference values in healthy population

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the main risk factor of glaucoma development and progression. Glaucoma screening is mostly based on performing ocular tonometry — the most frequent procedure in patient examination. Clinical practice uses tonometry values that are closely connected to ocular pressure but may differ significantly in absolute values, which is why normative bases of various tonometry devices differ.
Values obtained with Maklakoff and Goldmann tonometers, non-contact tonometry devices and bidirectional applanation tonometry have a practical importance. Data provided by Maklakoff tonometry establishes a mean tonometry value in healthy population at 20 mm Hg with a standard deviation of 2.5-3.0 mm Hg. Most populationbased studies are conducted with the use of Goldmann tonometer.
Its mean tonometry values vary according to different authors, but most prevalently denominated level is 16 mm Hg with a standard deviation of 2-3 mm Hg. Noncontact tonometers generally show a lower by 2-3 mm Hg IOP level and a higher range of standard deviation (3-5 mm Hg). Corneal compensated IOP values normally have an allocation similar to Goldmann tonometry, which can be explained by specifics of calibration and measurement model development. Its men value in healthy population is 16 mm Hg with a standard deviation of 2.5 mm Hg. It should also be noted that corneal compensated IOP has less variation in value distribution.
Thus a question of normal IOP values and tonometric measurements is much more complex than is considered to be the case in modern ophthalmology. Intraocular pressure examination in the context of population diversity aggravated by iatrogenic factors should be conducted by adequate means implementing personalized approach.

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