title: Corneal sensitivity in healthy, immature, and adult alpacas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the corneal sensitivity of healthy, immature, and adult alpacas to establish normal reference values for this species.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six normal crias and 18 normal adult alpacas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Corneal sensitivity was determined by evaluating the corneal touch threshold (CTT) in five regions of the cornea using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. The nylon filament length in cm was then converted to applied pressure values in mg/0.0113 mm(2) and g/mm(2) using a conversion chart.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The central region of the cornea was the most sensitive, and the dorsal and temporal regions were the least sensitive in alpacas. There were no significant differences between the right and left eyes or between values in males and females at any site. Crias had significantly greater corneal sensitivity compared with adult alpacas in all five regions of the cornea that were evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normal reference values for CTT in alpacas were established using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. The central region of the cornea is the most sensitive in alpacas, and crias have higher corneal sensitivity than adult alpacas.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. arankin@vet.k-state.edu
authors: Amy J
authors: AJ
authors: Rankin
authors: Kimberley G
authors: KG
authors: Hosking
authors: James K
authors: JK
authors: Roush
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000502:physiology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*