Evaluation of Perkin's applanation tonometer and the normal range of intraocular pressure in anesthetized rats.

To assess the reliability of noninvasive measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) in rats, a Perkin's applanation tonometer was calibrated against direct manometry. The normal values of IOP in male Wistar rats were then detected. The mean tonometer readings against the transducer IOP produced regression formula: y = -0.198 + 1.071 x (r2 = 0.987). The mean IOP with standard deviation in rats was 17.7 +/- 3.5 mm Hg (95% and 99% confidence intervals: 17.2 and 18.1 mm Hg, 17.0 and 18.3 mm Hg for the lower and upper limits of the normal rat IOP, respectively). The IOP could be measured accurately using Perkin's applanation tonometer in anesthetized rats each weighing 300 g and over. Measurement of IOP using this tonometer was considered to be valuable allowing, repeated use in rats because of its small size, portability and noninvasiveness.