A study of primary healthcare specialists’ involvement in transpalpebral ophthalmotonometry and their experience with a next-generation ophthalmotonometer

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the involvement and practical experience of primary healthcare specialists in ophthalmotonometry (OT), as well as the accessibility of learning and performing intraocular pressure measurement using a next-generation domestically produced device, is of significant interest.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the involvement of primary healthcare specialists in OT and their experience in mastering a next-generation transpalpebral tonometer (TGDc-03) in outpatient medical facilities in Kirov and the Kirov Region.

METHODS: We conducted this study in 2025 at the clinical bases of the Department of Family Medicine and Polyclinic Therapy of Kirov State Medical University. The design included three stages. At stage 1, we surveyed primary healthcare specialists about their involvement and experience in performing OT in real practice. Based on the survey results, we formed two groups: group I (specialists proficient in OT) and group II (those without OT skills). Stage 2 involved training respondents and having them use the next-generation transpalpebral tonometer TGDc-03 in clinical settings. At stage 3, expert opinions on mastering and using the TGDc-03 tonometer were analyzed.

RESULTS: The study enrolled 86 specialists. Group I included 69 (80.2%) participants, and group II included 17 (19.8%). The primary reason for intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement was preventive medical examination and population screening (p < 0.001). In urban settings, OT was most often performed by nurses from preventive medicine offices; in rural settings, by general practitioners and mid level medical staff at outpatient clinics (p = 0.001). Transpalpebral tonometry was used in 85.5% of cases. One-third of group I respondents reported inconveniences or difficulties during IOP measurement. Almost all participants, regardless of prior experience (p > 0.05), positively assessed the accessibility of learning and performing OT using the TGDc-03 device.

CONCLUSION: Nurses and general practitioners are involved in detecting ocular hypertension; one third of them reported inconveniences or difficulties when using a transpalpebral tonometer. Introducing the next generation TGDc 03 tonometer for intraocular pressure measurement made mastering and performing ophthalmotonometry more accessible in primary care.

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About the authors

Marina S. Grigorovich

Kirov State Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: grigorovich-mari@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2485-396X
SPIN-code: 7488-0422

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Assistant Professor

Russian Federation, Kirov

Elena Yu. Vychugzhanina

Kirov State Medical University

Email: kf25@kirovgma.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3017-0126

MD, Сand. Sci. (Medicine), Assistant Professor

Russian Federation, Kirov

Anna V. Starodubtseva

Kirov State Medical University

Email: annastar.sav@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0001-9215-2575
Russian Federation, Kirov

Artur A. Smirnov

Kirov State Medical University; Kirov Clinical and Diagnostic Center

Email: smirnov.arthur.alexandrovich@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-9439-9689
SPIN-code: 4494-1227
Russian Federation, Kirov; Kirov

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2. Fig. 1. Experience in performing ophthalmotonometry (a) and difficulties with intraocular pressure measurement (b) before using the TGDc-03 device in group 1.

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