For Professor Luca M. Rossetti, Director of the Eye Clinic at San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, efficiency, accuracy, and safety in intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement are non-negotiable. Managing a high volume of glaucoma patients across both public and private practice, he recently adopted the iCare ST500 slit lamp tonometer — and the impact has been transformational.
Fast, safe, and reliable – a step ahead of GAT
“The main challenge in my daily work is the sheer number of patients and the need to monitor their IOP at different times of the day,” says Rossetti. Traditionally relying on Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), he started using the iCare ST500 tonometer a few months ago in his university clinic and private office. The change was immediate.
“What first impressed me was the safety. With iCare ST500, I can use a new probe for every patient, significantly reducing contamination risk. In my clinic, we’ve had outbreaks of infectious keratitis, and GAT’s disinfection routines haven’t always prevented this,” he explains.
The iCare ST500 slit lamp tonometer requires no anesthetic drops and no dye, which simplifies the workflow and eliminates a common source of allergic reactions — another critical advantage for Rossetti, who trains new staff frequently. “It’s not just about saving time; it’s about reducing the chance for human error and infection.”
The iCare ST500 slit lamp tonometer is intuitive to use and easy to trust
Despite its advanced features, Rossetti describes the iCare ST500 tonometer as exceptionally easy to integrate. “The procedure is elementary. I showed it to my residents once, and they were ready to use it.” The device charges overnight, and its battery lasts throughout the busy day.
“The digital readout is especially helpful. It displays six measurements and provides a quality assessment. If there is an inconsistency or the probe is too far or too close, the device stops and prompts a retry. That kind of feedback builds trust in the result.”
Rossetti emphasizes that this reliability is especially valuable when less experienced personnel perform measurements. “They can copy the value straight from the display into the medical chart, reducing transcription errors. It’s a workflow enhancement that benefits the entire team.”
A tonometer designed for patient comfort
Compared to the GAT, the iCare ST500 tonometer provides a significantly more comfortable patient experience. “With GAT, patients blink more, and you often need to hold their eyelids open. That can stress already anxious glaucoma patients,” Rossetti notes. “With iCare ST500, you just bring the probe close, and you’re done — no pressure, no pain, no discomfort.”
The device also performs well with small eyes or long eyelashes, which are common in patients on prostaglandin therapy. “With GAT, these features interfere with the measurement. iCare ST500 handles them effortlessly.”
Comparable to GAT – but much easier
Rossetti conducted his comparisons between GAT and the iCare ST500 tonometer, and the readings matched closely. “That’s important because we’ve trusted GAT for decades. Seeing matching results gives me full confidence in switching.”
In his private practice, Rossetti has completely retired from GAT. I now exclusively use the iCare ST500 tonometer. It’s faster, safer, and integrates easily into my slit lamp. There’s no reason to go back.”
A clear recommendation for the iCare ST500 tonometer
The iCare ST500 slit lamp tonometer stands out by delivering two key values: efficiency in clinical workflows and trust in the technology. These align perfectly with Rossetti’s needs in both his private and teaching settings.
- Clinical efficiency: Faster measurements, no need for anesthesia or dye, and simplified training for new staff.
- Clinical confidence: Accurate, repeatable results with automatic quality checks and strong agreement with GAT.
Would Rossetti recommend the iCare ST500 slit lamp tonometer to other professionals? “Absolutely. Glaucoma patients often have damaged ocular surfaces and are very anxious. To have a tool that is easy to use and provides fast, safe, and reliable measurements without causing stress or discomfort — that’s a major step forward for both patients and clinicians,” Rossetti concludes.
Ready to experience the benefits Professor Rossetti trusts in his daily practice?
Learn more about the iCare ST500 slit lamp tonometer
