The displacement amplitude of the human cornea is inversely proportional to intra-ocular pressure. Thus, the interferometer can be used as a tonometer for glaucoma screening.
Laser light is reflected from the test surface.
The reflected beam is recombined with a stable reference beam. The output signals of a pair of photodetectors placed at the location of the interference fringe can be analyzed to derive the amplitude of displacement. An engineering prototype was constructed. Displacement amplitudes on a stabilized model cornea were successfully measured. Induced displacement on a hand-held model cornea were detected, but could not measured.