INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY - COMPARISON OF INNER CANTHUS OF THE EYES AND FOREHEAD SURFACE TEMPERATURES IN HEALTHY ADULTS

Abstract

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive method for surface temperature measuring. The use of the contactless IRT method is comfortable for the patient, fast and hygienic. However, this method does not provide information about the core body temperature because the temperature is measured indirectly from the surface of the human body. There are several places on a human body from which surface temperature is commonly measured; the methods of measurement and application of the device is inconsistent. The aim of this article is to show the difference between the temperature measured on the forehead and on the inner corner of the eye in healthy persons, with reference to the recommendations of ISO standard. This is mainly due to the fact that compliance with the ISO standard is not always met, as shown by the personal experience of the authors. The body surface temperature was measured by use infrared camera WIC 640 under control of calibrated model of a black body. The data from 59 different volunteer subjects show statistically significant difference in measured temperature from both selected positions. The obtained median temperature values were 35.04 °C from forehead area and 35.85 °C from canthus of eyes. The observed difference was more than three-quarters of a degree Celsius for the median value. The maximum observed temperature difference within the observed group was almost 1.94 °C. The present study defines surface temperature from canthus of eye and undoubtedly shows how important it is to comply with the standards and recommendations of professional thermology societies.