THERMOELECTRIC SENSORS FOR REGISTRATION OF INTRAOCULAR TEMPERATURE

To develop thermoelectric sensors for measuring of intraocular temperature and to study temperature distribution in different parts of the rabbit eye, depending on the ambient temperature. Materials and methods. The experiment was performed on 21 rabbits (42 eyes) which were divided into 3 groups depending on the ambient temperature. For temperature measurement, the thermoelectric device was developed consisting of the module for temperature registration, the measuring probes with thermocouple sensors and the computer with software. Results. The lowest temperature was noted in the outer corneal surface, and then it increased gradually in the inner segments of the eye and reached its maximum in the retina and subtenon space. A temperature gradient between the outer corneal surface and the retina was 3.23оС, 4.68оС and 3.85оС in Group I, II and III, respectively. Conclusions. The thermoelectric probe based on L-type thermocouples in the body of a standard polytetrafluoroethylene cannula with a low thermal conductivity was designed and manufactured. The temperature distribution in the rabbit eye was studied and the existence of the temperature gradient between the different parts of the eye in the in vivo experiment was confirmed. Raising and lowering of the ambient temperature increases the temperature gradient between the external and internal structures of the rabbit eye.