Ultrasound biomicroscopy and tonometry in ophthalmologically normal pigeon eyes.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and tonometry in pigeons and to provide biometric reference ranges for normal pigeon eyes. ANIMALS STUDIED: Ten pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica) with ophthalmologically normal eyes. PROCEDURES: Ophthalmic examinations, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy and tonometry, were performed to confirm that the eyes were normal. UBM was then performed on the left eye. On each obtained image, the ciliary cleft (CC) length, CC width, and CC area, and iridocorneal angle (ICA) were measured. RESULTS: Richly vascularized iris was observed in all pigeon eyes. Mean intraocular pressure was 11.7 ± 1.6 mmHg, without any statistical difference between the left and right eyes. The UBM scanning procedure was well tolerated in all pigeons. Mean values of CC length, CC width, CC area, and ICA were 1.55 ± 0.17 mm, 0.36 ± 0.05 mm, 0.39 ± 0.04 mm, and 15.17 ± 1.06°, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy could be a useful diagnostic tool to evaluate anterior ocular segment of pigeons.