Intraocular pressure measurements obtained as part of a comprehensive geriatric health examination from cats seven years of age or older.
OBJECTIVE
To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) in cats > or = 7 years of age undergoing a routine comprehensive geriatric health examination.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
538 cats (1,068 eyes).


METHODS
IOP was measured by applanation tonometry following instillation of 0.5% proparacaine.


RESULTS
Mean +/- SD IOP for all eyes was 12.3 +/- 4.0 mm Hg (range, 4 to 31 mm Hg). Mean age was 12.3 +/- 2.9 years. Intraocular pressure did not vary significantly cross-sectionally with age. However, in 78 cats, IOP was measured more than once, and follow-up measurements were significantly less than initial measurements (mean time between measurements, 9.4 +/- 3.0 months). The most useful tonometric criteria for identifying ocular abnormalities on the basis of IOP was an IOP > or = 25 mm Hg (mean + 3 SD) or a difference in IOP between eyes > or = 12 mm Hg. Eight cats met these criteria, and 5 of these cats had ophthalmic abnormalities. Low IOP was a nonspecific indicator of the presence of ocular abnormalities, as 111 cats had an IOP < or = 8 mm Hg, but only 2 had uveitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that IOP measurements can be a useful addition to a comprehensive geriatric health examination in cats > or = 7 years of age, especially when combined with an ophthalmic examination. Cats without ocular abnormalities that have lOP > or = 25 mm Hg or a > or = 12 mm Hg difference in IOP between eyes should have tonometry repeated or be referred to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation before beginning antiglaucoma treatment.
Kroll
M M
MM
Cat Care Clinic, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
Miller
P E
PE
Rodan
I
I
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002415:Cats; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary