Kaweh Mansouri, MD MPH
Tarek Shaarawy, MD

Glaucoma sector, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Geneva, Switzerland

Purpose: To report initial clinical results with a novel wireless ocular telemetry sensor (OTS) (Sensimed AG, Switzerland) for continuous intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring in patients with open angle glaucoma.

Methods: Prospective, uncontrolled, observational cohort of 30 consecutive patients. The monitoring took place in ambulatory conditions and patients followed their normal daily routine. Patients with dry eye disease (DED) were not excluded from participation. The OTS is a disposable silicone contact lens with a micro-electromechanical system embedded in it, which measures changes in corneal curvature induced by variations in IOP. An Antenna, mounted around the eye, receives the data, which are then transmitted to a Recorder.

Results: All but two patients completed 24-hour IOP monitoring. 20% suffered from DED. Two patients (both with severe DED) interrupted monitoring due to device intolerance. In a majority of patients, the highest signals were recorded during the nocturnal period. No serious adverse events were recorded. Minor complications were: Small corneal erosions and superficial punctate keratitis.

Conclusions: The findings of this 24-hour monitoring led to an immediate change of management in almost two-thirds of study patients. The OTS shows good safety and functionality to monitor IOP fluctuations in glaucoma patients over 24 hours and in real-life situations. This technology has the potential to provide previously unobtainable data on the chronobiology of IOP. We believe that it can lead to improved care of glaucoma patients.