Schirmer tear test type I readings and intraocular pressure values assessed by applanation tonometry (Tonopen((R)) XL) in normal eyes of four European species of birds of prey

摘要

Objective To determine normal values for Schirmer tear test I and intraocular pressure in four European species of birds of prey. Animals studied Twenty birds from each of the following species: Eurasian Tawny owl (Strix aluco), Little owl (Athene noctua), Common buzzard (Buteo buteo), and European kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Procedures Both eyes of all birds (80 eyes) underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, which included a Schirmer tear test type I (STT-I) performed with commercially available strips and the assessment of the intraocular pressure (IOP) by applanation tonometry, employing the Tonopen-XL (R) device. The animals, which had been taken to a rescue center, were examined for ocular lesions prior to their eventual release into the wild. STT-I readings and IOP values were expressed as means +/- standard deviation. Results Schirmer tear test type I readings were as follows: Eurasian Tawny owls: 3.12 +/- 1.92mm/min; Little owls: 3.5 +/- 1.96mm/min; Common buzzards: 12.47 +/- 2.66mm/min; European kestrels: 6.20 +/- 3.67mm/min. IOP values were as follows: Eurasian Tawny owls: 11.21 +/- 3.12mmHg; Little owls: 9.83 +/- 3.41mmHg; Common buzzards: 17.2 +/- 3.53mmHg; European kestrels: 8.53 +/- 1.59mmHg. Conclusions The results of this study give representative values for STT-I and IOP in four of the most common species of birds of prey in Europe.