Corneal esthesiometry in the healthy horse.
Abstract: To determine corneal sensitivity in healthy adult horses in order to establish reference values. Methods: One hundred eyes of 50 healthy adult horses. Methods: Corneal sensitivity was determined by evaluating the corneal touch threshold (CTT) in five different corneal regions using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Results: Comparing CTT values (in mm filament length) of the five prescribed corneal regions revealed regional variations in corneal sensitivity, with the central region (21.15 +/- 6.23 mm) being the most sensitive, followed by the nasal (20.75 +/- 5.14 mm), temporal (20.70 +/- 5.37 mm), ventral (20.15 +/- 5.88 mm) and dorsal (15.85 +/- 3.70 mm) region. However, differences between the central, nasal, temporal and ventral regions were not statistically significant, whereas the dorsal region was significantly (P < 0.0001) less sensitive compared to the other regions. Division of the horses into three age groups revealed an insignificant decrease in corneal sensitivity with age in the nasal, temporal, ventral and central region, and an insignificant increase with age in the dorsal region. Correlation of corneal sensitivity with age was statistically significant in the central, ventral and temporal region. No statistically significant difference in the CTT was found between left and right eyes and between males and females. Conclusions: CTT values in 100 eyes of 50 healthy adult horses evaluated with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer generated reference values. Reference values are necessary to determine alterations of corneal sensation accompanying various eye diseases or systemic diseases.
Publication Date: 2003-05-20 PubMed ID: 12753618DOI: 10.1046/j.1463-5224.2003.00283.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research focused on measuring the sensitivity of the cornea in healthy adult horses to establish a set of reference values. The study involved assessing the corneal touch threshold (CTT) in different regions of the cornea, using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer, with the aim of observing any regional variations in sensitivity.
Methods
- The research involved assessing 100 eyes from 50 healthy adult horses.
- Corneal sensitivity was evaluated by determining the CTT in five different corneal regions. This was achieved using an instrument called a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer.
- These regions include the central, nasal, temporal, ventral, and dorsal areas of the cornea.
Results
- The CTT values varied across the different regions of the cornea, with the central region being the most sensitive. This was followed by the nasal, temporal, ventral, and finally, the dorsal region. The differences among the central, nasal, temporal, and ventral regions were statistically insignificant, but the dorsal region was significantly less sensitive compared to the others.
- When the horses were divided into three age groups, a minor decrease in corneal sensitivity with age was observed in the nasal, temporal, ventral, and central regions. Interestingly, there was a slight increase with age in the dorsal region.
- The correlation between corneal sensitivity and age was found to be statistically significant in the central, ventral, and temporal regions.
- No significant difference was identified between the left and right eyes and between males and females in terms of CTT.
Conclusions
- With the data gathered from this research, researchers were able to establish reference CTT values for the eyes of healthy adult horses as assessed by a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer.
- Such reference values are important to identify changes in corneal sensation which could be manifestations of various eye or systemic diseases.
Cite This Article
APA
Kaps S, Richter M, Spiess BM.
(2003).
Corneal esthesiometry in the healthy horse.
Vet Ophthalmol, 6(2), 151-155.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-5224.2003.00283.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Small Animals, Ophthalmology Service, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Switzerland. skaps@vetclinics.unizh.ch
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cornea / physiology
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Reference Values
- Touch
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Telle MR, Chen N, Shinsako D, Kiland JA, Oikawa K, Møller Trane R, McLellan GJ. Relationship between corneal sensitivity, corneal thickness, corneal diameter, and intraocular pressure in normal cats and cats with congenital glaucoma. Vet Ophthalmol 2019 Jan;22(1):4-12.
- Little E, Yvorchuk-St Jean K, Little W, Sithole F, St Jean G. Degree of corneal anesthesia after topical application of 0.4% oxybuprocaine ophthalmic solution in normal equids. Can J Vet Res 2016 Oct;80(4):329-334.
- Chahory S, Maringue C, Huiban P, Desquilbet L. Age-Related Variations of Corneal Sensitivity in Puppies Beagle Dogs. Vet Ophthalmol 2026 Jan;29(1):e70006.
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