Measurement of intraocular pressure in healthy anesthetized horses during hoisting.

The research examines the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) in anesthetized horses during hoisting and finds that hoisting significantly increases IOP, with heavier horses experiencing higher pressures. This indicates a potential risk during anesthesia and hoisting procedures for large horses.

Overview of Research Methodology

• The study was a prospective nonrandomized clinical examination of 18 healthy adult horses aged approximately 10 years and weighing roughly 491 kg that were anesthetized for elective procedures.
• The researchers measured IOP in the horses’ eyes at different stages, including after premedication, induction, intubation, suspension by a hoist, and positioning on the operating table.
• During the hoisting phase, the horse’s head was supported and the distance from the eye to the heart was measured to control for differences in head position among the patients.
• The researchers then compared IOP measurements across the different time points using repeated-measures analysis of variance, and regression was used to assess the relationship between IOP and potential cofactors.

Study Results

• Findings revealed that hoisting caused a significant increase in IOP compared to measurements taken after premedication, with the highest recorded IOP reaching 80.0 mmHg during hoisting.
• There was a marked contrast in IOP before premedication and during hoisting, suggesting that the latter had a distinct impact on intraocular pressure.
• Importantly, the researchers found a significant correlation between a horse’s body weight and both the absolute IOP and the change in IOP during hoisting, indicating that heavier horses had higher IOPs and experienced a greater increase in IOP during hoisting.

Conclusions and Implications

• The increase in intraocular pressure during hoisting and its correlation with body weight highlights potential risks during anesthesia and hoisting procedures, particularly for larger horses.
• Clinicians need to account for these potential complications when planning and executing such procedures, as an increase in IOP could be detrimental to the horse’s health.