Elisa Eldesoki is a bright, imaginative 15-year-old who lives in Spain and enjoys writing poems, crafting stories, and immersing herself in books. But alongside her creative passions, Elisa lives with a rare and lifelong condition, aniridia and its common associated complication, glaucoma. Discovering the iCare HOME2 tonometer hasn’t just improved Elisa’s medical care but changed her mindset.
Elisa was diagnosed with aniridia when she was just three months old. Her mother first noticed that her eyes were unusually dark and had no visible color due to missing irises. Elisa also reacted strongly to sunlight, and her eyes exhibited involuntary rhythmic movements, a condition known as nystagmus. Medical evaluation confirmed her aniridia, a condition caused by a mutation in the PAX6 gene critical to eye development. In addition, Elisa developed glaucoma — a common ocular condition associated with aniridia. In glaucoma, fluid buildup inside the eye increases intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss if not controlled.
Since her diagnosis, Elisa’s care has included eye drops, lubricating eye ointment to protect her cornea, sunglasses, and regular checkups. Despite the medical routines, she has grown up with a strong sense of acceptance and self-confidence.
“I grew up like any other child. My condition is normal for me. I’m used to how I see and don’t wish to see differently. This is how my life is,” Elisa says.
Discovering the iCare HOME2 tonometer
Due to glaucoma, and since the structures of the anterior chamber angle that regulate aqueous humor outflow may be underdeveloped in people with aniridia, monitoring IOP is essential for Elisa.
“If my IOP is too high, the optic nerve dies, and that may lead to blindness,” she explains.
Elisa’s long journey with eye health took a positive turn when she started using the iCare HOME2 tonometer, a user-friendly device for measuring eye pressure at home. With her previous tonometer, Elisa often felt uncertain about the accuracy of the readings. It was slow, laggy, and sometimes produced inconsistent results, adding stress to her daily routine. With the iCare HOME2 tonometer, these worries are gone.
“I was surprised at how easy and modern iCare HOME2 is. I got used to it in a few minutes. It’s incredibly comfortable to use. Now, I’m stress-free when I measure my pressure. I know it’s accurate, and my eye pressure is under control,” Elisa rejoices.
Tonometer features that make a difference
What makes the iCare HOME2 tonometer so helpful for Elisa is its intuitive design. From alignment guidance on the screen to prompts about how close the device should be, every step is made easier for the user. “The device automatically recognizes which eye is being measured and tells you if you’re too far or too close to your eye, and that helps ensure it’s working correctly,” Elisa explains.
Daily IOP monitoring now takes just a few minutes. The comfort and confidence brought by the iCare HOME2 tonometer have simplified Elisa’s routines and given her more control over her condition. The data Elisa collects from her daily measurements is saved and sent to her doctor in an Excel file. The procedure allows her doctor to make insightful decisions about her treatment and medication based on long-term trends rather than occasional and time-consuming office visits.
“For me, having this kind of device at home is crucial. iCare HOME2 makes IOP monitoring easy and accurate and helps prevent serious complications like optic nerve damage. The device is easy to use and helps me care for my eyes correctly, bringing me peace of mind,” Elisa adds.
A clear vision for improved eye care
Thanks to reliable data from the iCare HOME2 tonometer, Elisa’s doctor could recommend an additional medication to help her maintain stable eye pressure and prevent further damage to her optic nerve. The device hasn’t just improved Elisa’s medical care but also changed her mindset. For her, the iCare HOME2 tonometer is more than just a device—it’s an empowerment tool. It’s something she believes every person living with glaucoma or aniridia should have.
Elisa has straightforward advice for those newly diagnosed or hesitant to use a home tonometer:
“With iCare HOME2, you know where you stand. I used to see measuring my pressure as a chore. Now I look forward to it.”