Speculum use increases IOP in newborn measurements
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe

The authors aimed to investigate the effect on using an eyelid speculum (Barraquer wire eyelid speculum) on IOP measurement in newborns with a mean age of 37 weeks under topical anesthesia. Mean gestational age at birth and mean post-conceptual age at time of assessment was 32.46 ±2.82 weeks and 37.27 ±2.52 weeks. Mean birth weight was 2106 ±621g. Mean weight at examination was 3028 ±772g. Mean IOP without speculum was 9.04 ±2.13mmHg (right eye) and 9.26 ±1.59mmHg (left eye) and, with speculum, was 11.91 ±2.23mmHG and 11.70 ±1.89mmHg (right and left eyes). There was no significant difference for gender and IOP and for age at examination or weight. Overall, use of a speculum raised IOP by an average of 2.65 mmHG and should be considered in the assessment of IOP in newborns.

The effect of an eyelid speculum on IOP measurement in newborns.
Cicek A, Bayram N, Alabay B, Vural E.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY AND STRABISMUS
2022;59(1):13-6.