Iridocorneal angle assessment of companion rabbits using gonioscopy, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Optovue iVue ), high-resolution ultrasound, and Pentacam HR imaging.

OBJECTIVE

Iridocorneal angle (ICA) narrowing is a known risk factor for primary glaucoma in multiple species, but has not been described in companion rabbits. This study aimed to develop an ICA grading scheme for companion rabbits to enable early glaucoma predisposition diagnosis.

ANIMALS STUDIED

Twenty healthy rabbits of varying breeds and ages.

PROCEDURES

Rabbits received complete ophthalmic examinations, including gonioscopy, and imaging of the ICA using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR), and high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS). Angle opening distance (AOD) and angle recess area (ARA) of the ICA were measured and assessed for agreement using a Bland-Altman analysis. A five-stage gonioscopy grading scheme was created, and Spearman-rank test assessed for correlation between gonioscopy grades and ICA measurements. Differences among age and sex were analyzed with a nonparametric ANOVA and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, respectively.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed AOD medians of 0.28mm for SD-OCT [95% CI: 0.24-0.31], 0.20mm for Pentacam HR [95% CI: 0.18-0.21], and 0.25mm for HRUS [95% CI: 0.22-0.28]. The median ARA was 0.14mm for SD-OCT [95% CI: 0.117-0.163], 0.09mm for Pentacam HR [95% CI: 0.082-0.100], and 0.06mm for HRUS [95% CI: 0.046-0.054]. The association between gonioscopy grade and SD-OCT ARA was significant (P < 0.05), and there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between imaging modalities for both ARA and AOD.

CONCLUSIONS

Gonioscopy grade correlated well with SD-OCT ARA. Therefore, SD-OCT is recommended as a noncontact method for evaluating companion rabbit ICA. Each imaging device should not be used interchangeably for ICA evaluation.