Effect of sedation with detomidine on intraocular pressure with and without topical anesthesia in clinically normal horses.
Abstract: To determine the effect of sedation with detomidine on intraocular pressure (IOP) in standing horses and whether topical ocular application of anesthetic alters this effect. Methods: Clinical trial. Methods: 15 clinically normal horses. Methods: Horses were assigned to group 1 (n = 7) or 2 (8). Intraocular pressure measurements were obtained at baseline (before sedation) and 10 minutes after IV administration of detomidine (0.02 mg/kg [0.009 mg/lb]). Group 1 horses had an additional IOP measurement at 20 minutes after sedation. For group 2 horses, topical ocular anesthetic was administered 10 minutes prior to baseline IOP measurements. Results: Mean ± SD baseline IOP for horses without topical anesthesia (group 1 horses; IOP, 24.30 ± 3.09 mm Hg) was significantly lower, compared with that of horses with topical anesthesia (group 2 horses; IOP, 30.40 ± 3.25 mm Hg). Compared with baseline values, IOP at 10 minutes after sedation decreased significantly in all horses (by 3.61 ± 1.48 mm Hg and 5.78 ± 4.32 mm Hg in groups 1 and 2, respectively). In group 1 horses, IOP at 10 (20.69 ± 3.45 mm Hg) and 20 (19.96 ± 2.13 mm Hg) minutes after sedation was significantly decreased, compared with baseline values; however, the difference between IOP at 10 versus 20 minutes was not significant. The difference in IOP between group 1 and 2 horses at 10 minutes after sedation was not significant. Conclusions: IV administration of detomidine caused a decrease in IOP in clinically normal horses and may be a safe sedative when performing ocular procedures.
Publication Date: 2012-01-20 PubMed ID: 22256847DOI: 10.2460/javma.240.3.308Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the impact of a sedative, detomidine, on horses’ intraocular pressure (IOP) and if pre-application of topical anesthesia influences this effect. It was concluded that detomidine caused a decrease in IOP, making it a potentially safe sedative for ocular procedures in horses.
Research Methodology
- The clinical trial involved 15 clinically healthy horses. The horses were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisting of 7 horses and Group 2 encompassing 8 horses.
- IOP measurements were obtained at baseline (prior to sedation) and ten minutes following Intravenous administration of detomidine.
- Group 1 horses had an extra IOP measurement taken 20 minutes post sedation.
- For Group 2 horses, a topical ocular anesthetic was applied ten minutes before the baseline IOP measurements.
Research Findings
- The baseline IOP for horses without topical anesthesia (Group 1) was significantly lesser than that of horses with topical anesthesia (Group 2).
- Comparison with baseline values showed that IOP reduced significantly in all horses 10 minutes after sedation. The decrease was more extensive in Group 2 than Group 1.
- In Group 1 horses, IOP measured at both 10 and 20 minutes after sedation showed significant decrease compared to baseline values. There was, however, no significant difference in the IOP decrease between measurements taken at 10 and 20 minutes.
- There was no significant variance in the IOP between Groups 1 and 2 measured 10 minutes after sedation.
Conclusions
- Intravenous administration of detomidine led to a decrease in IOP in healthy horses.
- The results suggest that detomidine could be a safe sedative choice when carrying out ocular procedures on horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Holve DL.
(2012).
Effect of sedation with detomidine on intraocular pressure with and without topical anesthesia in clinically normal horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 240(3), 308-311.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.240.3.308 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Eye Care for Animals, Tustin, CA 92780, USA. danaholve@gmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Anesthetics, Local / pharmacology
- Animals
- Drug Therapy, Combination / veterinary
- Female
- Horses
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
- Imidazoles / pharmacology
- Intraocular Pressure / drug effects
- Male
- Tonometry, Ocular / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Mustikka MP, Pietilä EM, Mykkänen AK, Grönthal TSC. Comparison of two rebound tonometers in healthy horses. Vet Ophthalmol 2020 Sep;23(5):892-898.
- Von Zup M, Lassaline M, Kass PH, Miller PE, Thomasy SM. Effects of 0.2% brimonidine and 0.2% brimonidine-0.5% timolol on intraocular pressure and pupil size in normal equine eyes. Equine Vet J 2017 Nov;49(6):810-814.
- Allen R, Goodhead AD. A survey of ocular pathology in Warmblood horses in South Africa. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):889-897.
- Preston JF, Mustikka MP, Priestnall SL, Dunkel B, Fischer MC. Clinical features and outcomes of horses presenting with presumed equine immune mediated keratitis to two veterinary hospitals in the United Kingdom and Finland: 94 cases (2009-2021). Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):598-610.
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