# Goldmann Contact Tonometry with Optimized Error Correction

> **NIH NIH R44** · CATS TONOMETER, LLC · 2020 · $576,827

## Abstract

Intuor Technologies, LLC - Project Summary
Goldmann Contact Tonometry with Optimized Error Correction
Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement is a very important criteria used to assess visual acuity
when eye care professionals are diagnosing, treating, and managing potential glaucoma
patients. Goldman tonometry (GAT) IOP is recognized as the “gold standard”, but GAT IOP
measurements errors have been identified. Phase I results indicated GAT IOP errors were over
+/-2mmHg and up to +/-10mmHg in most patients. Those errors result in 50% of the population
at risk for vision loss or over treatment. The GAT prism cannot accurately measure IOP due to
corneal variabilities such as thicknesses, rigidity curvature, and tear film.
Based on Phase I results, Intuor achieved FDA clearance on the CATS reusable prism. The
Phase I results also showed CATS Prism improved IOP accuracy a 94% over GAT prism errors.
The Phase II work will further the innovation and speed commercialization of CATS prism via
ergonomic and manufacturing innovations.
Addressing demonstrated market demand, Intuor's Phase II project will transfer and verify the
CATS technology to an injection molded disposable prism with an enhanced ergonomic design.
A disposable prism solves many current challenges presented by reusable prisms. The alcohol
cleaning methodology for reusable GAT prisms currently used in practice resents a potential
health hazard from cross-patient contamination and infection due to improper cleaning
techniques. Additionally, reusable prisms are often replaced well past their serviceable life.
Intuor plans to eliminate these health hazard by producing a competitively priced disposable
prism via one step, injection molding. CATS disposable prism development will lead to a cost-
effective prism greatly reducing potential cleaning agent corneal toxicity and infection potential.
To achieve the tight tolerances and manufacturing capability requires innovative, iterative
designs and multiple injection cycles.
The second aspect of the Phase II is a clinically rigorous demonstration of CATS improved IOP
accuracy via two distinct clinical studies for ineffectively served populations (pediatric and
refractive surgery patients), so clinicians can confidently measure IOP to properly manage these
populations. These two groups combined represent 30% of the general population. The clinical
trial results will be leveraged into expanding the CATS' currently FDA cleared indications for use
with additional claims increasing marketability and utilization across all segments.
If successful, these developments described above will eliminate the limitations of the IOP test
while preserving its advantages of acceptance, simplicity, and cost.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9969489
- **Project number:** 5R44EY026821-03
- **Recipient organization:** CATS TONOMETER, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Sean J McCafferty
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $576,827
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-30 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9969489

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9969489, Goldmann Contact Tonometry with Optimized Error Correction (5R44EY026821-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9969489. Licensed CC0.

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