Correlation between corneal sensitivity and quantity of reflex tearing in cows, horses, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
Abstract: Guinea pigs have a very low threshold of corneal sensitivity and at the same time nearly no reflex tearing compared to dogs, cats, and horses. The question arose whether there is a general correlation between corneal sensitivity and the quantity of reflex tearing. Methods: Totally 160 animals of 8 different species (20 animals per species) were investigated. Methods: The corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. The palpebral fissure length (PFL) was measured with a calliper ruler. The Schirmer tear test (STT) was modified by adapting the width of the STT strip to the PFL of every species. For the STT II, 0.4% oxybuprocaine was applied. Results: Corneal touch threshold: Cows (1.67 g/mm(2)), horses (1.23 g/mm(2)), sheep (1.13 g/mm(2)), goats (1.44 g/mm(2)), dogs (2.16 g/mm(2)), and cats (1.33 g/mm(2)) show similar CTT values. In contrast, rabbits (6.21 g/mm(2)) and guinea pigs (7.75 g/mm(2)) show a significantly lower CTT. Tear Production Difference STT I - STT II: Rabbits have the greatest decline in tear production with 38.4%, followed by sheep (33.3%), dogs (31.1%), cats (24.7%), cows (23.7%), horses (18.0%), and goats (14.0%). Guinea pigs have no decline, but a slight increase of -16.0%. Correlation CTT and STT II - STT I Difference: Pearson's correlation coefficient shows a small, but significant correlation. The coefficient of determination can only forecast a value with 7.1% certainty. Conclusions: The high variance and low reproducibility of results suggest that the measuring devices are inappropriate to assess the evaluated parameters. Therefore, no assured correlation between the corneal sensitivity and the quantity of reflex tearing could be found.
© 2012 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Publication Date: 2012-10-15 PubMed ID: 23067275DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2012.01069.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the possible correlation between corneal sensitivity and reflex tearing in various animal species including cows, horses, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. However, the research shows a high degree of variation and inconsistency in the measurements suggesting that the methods used to assess these parameters could be inadequate.
Study Design and Methods
- The study involved a total of 160 animals spanning eight different species with 20 animals from each species.
- The Corneal Touch Threshold (CTT) of each animal was measured using a device known as a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer.
- The length of the palpebral fissure (PFL), which is the elliptic space between the open eyelids, was measured with a caliper ruler.
- The Schirmer tear test (STT) was applied, but it was adapted to the PFL of each animal species. The STT II involved application of a 0.4% oxybuprocaine solution.
Findings
- The measurements of the CTT showed similar values for cows, horses, sheep, goats, dogs, and cats. Rabbits and guinea pigs, however, had a significantly lower CTT.
- Observations of the STT I – STT II difference (a measure of difference in tear production) showed rabbits having the greatest decline in tear production (38.4%) followed by sheep (33.3%), dogs (31.1%), cats (24.7%), cows (23.7%), horses (18.0%), and goats (14.0%). Guinea pigs, surprisingly, showed a slight increase (-16.0%).
- The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied which showed a small but significant correlation. However, the coefficient of determination could only predict a value with 7.1% certainty.
Conclusions
The study ended on an inconclusive note. The significant variation and poor reproducibility of the results suggest that the methods used might be inadequate for assessing the parameters under study. As a result, no definitive correlation between corneal sensitivity and the quantity of reflex tearing could be found across these animal species.
Cite This Article
APA
Wieser B, Tichy A, Nell B.
(2012).
Correlation between corneal sensitivity and quantity of reflex tearing in cows, horses, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
Vet Ophthalmol, 16(4), 251-262.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-5224.2012.01069.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department for Small Animals and Horses, Clinic for Surgery and Ophthalmology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Rautenkranzgasse 36/11, Vienna 1210, Austria. barbarawieser@gmx.at
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic / physiology
- Cats / physiology
- Cattle / physiology
- Cornea / physiology
- Dogs / physiology
- Female
- Goats / physiology
- Guinea Pigs / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Humidity
- Male
- Rabbits / physiology
- Sheep / physiology
- Tears / physiology
- Temperature
Citations
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