Tonometer Tensions in the Newborn

Abstract

There are many recordings of intraocular pressures of both normal and abnormal eyes, but a careful review of the literature reveals that the only previous recordings of tonometer tensions in the newborn were made by Brockhurst 1 on 59 premature infants. This paper will analyze the results of a study involving 32 full-term infants in whom the intraocular pressure was measured with a Schiotz impression tonometer within one hour after birth. Method of Study A total of 110 newborns were seen no more than one hour after birth, and an attempt was made to obtain a tonometer tension. In only 32 cases out of this entire group was it possible to determine a tension which was considered to be truly reflective of the newborn's intraocular pressure. Immediately after delivery the child was brought into the newborn nursery, cleaned, and wrapped in a blanket which restrained his hands. The head of