Investigation of correlation between corneal thickness and intraocular pressure in New Zealand Albino Rabbits

The aim of this study was to determine intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements in healthy rabbits to establish clinical reference values and to investigate the possible relationship between these measurements. The study included 40 eyes of 20 New Zealand albino rabbits, aged 1.5-2 years. All the eyes were healthy with no abnormalities, corneal disease, or evidence of glaucoma. An ultrasonographic pachymeter was used to measure CCT and TonoVet® was used to measure IOP. Correlations between IOP and CCT measurements were examined. The mean CCT was 388.2 ± 38.22 µm in the right eye and 391.8± 59.18 µm in the left eye. IOP was measured as 16 ± 3.76 mmHg in the right eye and 16 ± 2.73 mmHg in the left eye. No correlation was determined between the IOP and CCT, and this indicated that the TonoVet® readings of CCT and IOP did not cause a deviation that could be determined. There is a need for further studies of different animals to investigate the effect of corneal thickness on the IOP measurements made with TonoVet®.