B-Scan Biometry and Color Doppler Ultrasound Imaging of the Eye in Clinically Normal Donkeys (Equus asinus): Effect of Laterality, Maturity and Gender.

This research studied the use of ultrasound imaging to measure the eyes of healthy donkeys, finding that factors such as the animal’s maturity can potentially affect measurements. It also determined ultrasound to be a helpful tool in assessing the eye health of donkeys.

Study Overview

In order to bridge the gap of information regarding ocular biometry (measurement of the eye) and color Doppler imaging of a donkey’s eye, this study was undertaken. Forty donkeys – a total of 80 eyes – of varying maturity and both genders were examined.

Methodology

• Transpalpebral ocular ultrasonography, a non-invasive technique where ultrasound waves are passed through the upper eyelid to produce an image of the eye’s internal structure, was employed using a 12-MHz linear transducer.
• Different measurements of the eye were taken – anterior chamber depth, central lens thickness, vitreous chamber depth, axial globe length, longitudinal globe length, lens pole diameter and posterior wall thickness.
• Color Doppler velocimetric measurements including peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity were also assessed. These measurements are related to the blood flow within vessels of the eye.
• Furthermore, blood flow indices such as resistive and pulsatility indices were calculated. These are common measurements used in ultrasonography to assess blood flow characteristics.

Results

• The factors of laterality (whether the sample was taken from the left or right eye) and gender did not present significant variations in ocular biometry.
• However, the maturity stage of the donkeys did influence certain measurements like axial globe length, longitudinal globe length, and lens pole diameter.
• The study found that laterality had no impact on velocimetric parameters and indices, but gender did have a significant effect on resistive index, pulstality index, and volume flow per area.
• Maturity also showed significant influence on parameters such as peak systolic velocity and blood volume flow per distance and per area.

Conclusion

The study concluded the use of ocular biometry and color Doppler ultrasonography as beneficial tools in the assessment and potentially in the diagnostic process of ocular diseases in donkeys. The contributions of factors like maturity and gender to the measurements could help in better understanding eye health and disease in donkeys.