Validation of a novel rebound tonometer (Tono‐Vera® Vet) in normal ex vivo rabbit eyes

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to validate the use of the Reichert Tono‐Vera® Vet tonometer rabbit setting in normal ex vivo rabbit eyes and to compare the rabbit setting to the dog, cat, and horse settings of this tonometer.ProcedureSix freshly enucleated normal rabbit eyes were cannulated and connected to a fluid reservoir and physiologic monitor. Triplicate measurements were obtained with the four available settings: dog, cat, horse, and rabbit at various intraocular pressures (IOP) ranging from 5 to 80 mmHg. Bland–Altman analysis was utilized to determine bias and 95% limits of agreement for each setting.ResultsLinear regression equations for the dog, horse, cat, and rabbit settings were y = 0.8101x + 2.5058, y = 0.7594x − 3.4673, y = 0.6635x + 0.3021, and y = 0.8935x + 1.3295, respectively. All settings demonstrated strong positive linear trends (dog r2 = 0.9644, horse r2 = 0.9456, cat r2 = 0.9309, and rabbit r2 = 0.9558). Bland–Altman plots revealed that the average bias and 95% limits of agreement (mmHg) were −4.73, −12.65, −12.86 and −2.73 and (−15.31, 5.86), (−29.03, 3.74), (−25.67, −0.05), and (−12.21, 6.76) for the dog, horse, cat, and rabbit settings, respectively.ConclusionThe Tono‐Vera® Vet rabbit setting provided the most accurate and precise measurements compared with the other settings, but slightly underestimated actual IOP, especially as IOP was increased. This tonometer, using the rabbit setting, is likely to be appropriate for the estimation of IOP in rabbits with the appropriate correction formula applied.