Recovery of canine retina and optic nerve function after acute elevation of intraocular pressure: implications for canine glaucoma treatment

Abstract

Purpose To characterize the timing and extent of functional recovery in healthy canine eyes exposed to acute elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods Acute elevation of IOP was induced in 14 healthy Beagles by elevating IOP above the levels of systolic blood pressure for 60 min (average elevation was between 100 and 160 mmHg). Menace, dazzle and pupillary light reflexes (PLR) were tested at 1, 7, 14 and 28 days post elevation. Optical coherence tomography was used to evaluate retinal thickness preoperatively and at 15 and 30 days post elevation. Results One day post elevation all animals were blind in the operated eye (no positive menace), 5/14 had positive PLR and 10/14 had positive dazzle response. Seven days post elevation 4/14 animals had positive menace response and all animals (14/14) had positive dazzle and PLR responses. Fourteen and 28 days post elevation all animals had positive menace, PLR and dazzle responses. Optical coherence tomography analysis revealed significant thinning of the inferior retina (pre elevation: 156.3 ± 4.8 µ m; 15 days post elevation: 125 ± 10.4 µ m; 30 days post elevation 123 ± 11.9 µ m; P < 0.01,  ). The superior retina, however, did not show any detectable decrease in thickness compared to control eyes (pre elevation: 193.8 ± 2.6 µ m; 15 days post elevation: 176.9 ± 8.5 µ m; 30 days post elevation 176.9 ± 7 µ m; P = 0.057,  ). Conclusions Detailed functional and morphologic analysis revealed precise information about retinal damage after acute elevation of IOP. Canine retina has the capacity to recover at least some visual function even at 14 days after acute elevation of the IOP. More aggressive medical and surgical treatment of canine glaucomatous patients may be indicated despite complete loss of visual function, PLR and dazzle responses in early days after development of an acute glaucomatous attack.

Functional and Structural Effects of Erythropoietin Subconjunctival Administration in Glaucomatous Animals

“…Bars represent the median score; boxes show the 25th to 75th percentiles; whiskers represent ±1.58 interquartile range/square root (n). Our glaucoma experimental model has been used before and has proven to be reliable and reproducible [31][32][33]. In the present study the IOP rise was confirmed 1 h after the surgical procedure in animals from both groups.…”

“…The glaucoma model used is another limitation recognized by the authors. Although this glaucoma experimental model has been used before and has been shown to be reliable and reproducible [31][32][33], glaucoma is a multifactorial and very complex disease. Therefore, combining data from studies using several different glaucoma models is important for understanding the complete picture of EPO ocular neuroprotection in glaucoma disease.…”

Combined iridencleisis and posterior sclerectomy in surgical treatment of glaucoma secondary to uveitis in a dog: a case report

“…Therefore, despite the absence of full a ophthalmologic examination, i.e., the absence of fundus examination and gonioscopy, the patient qualified as emergency and a decision was taken to perform surgery (Abrams, 2001;Johnsen et al, 2006). At this stage of treatment, the main purpose was to normalise the IOP and protect the optic nerve (Abrams, 2001;Grozdanic et al, 2007;Ofri and Narfstrom, 2007).…”

Response to letter

“…1 A fundamental aspect of research study design is the inclusion of a treatment control group, especially when the study involves the evaluation of multiple treatments. Without a control group (i.e.…”