Intraocular Pressure Measurements Using Rebound Tonometry in Eight Different Species of Companion Birds.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine reference interval intraocular pressure (IOP) values in 8 different species of companion birds. One hundred and nineteen companion birds (238 eyes) from a captive colony were examined: 21 pigeons (; 18%), 17 African grey parrots (; 14%), 22 common mynahs (; 18%), 24 cockatiels (; 20%), 12 zebra finches (; 10%), 9 budgerigars (; 8%), 6 domestic canaries (; 5%), and 8 ring-necked parakeets (; 7%). Intraocular pressure was measured by rebound tonometry (TonoVet) avoiding induced, undesired pressure on the head, neck, or eyes. Mean IOP values varied by species. Mean (± SD) IOP values determined for each species were pigeon (5.42 ± 2.06 mm Hg), African grey parrot (4.93 ± 1.91 mm Hg), common mynah (6.22 ± 2.04 mm Hg), cockatiel (5.08 ± 1.76 mm Hg), zebra finch (5.90 ± 2.11 mm Hg), budgerigar (5.88 ± 2.31mm Hg), canary (5.83 ± 1.60 mm Hg), and ring-necked parakeet (6.25 ± 1.75 mm Hg). No statistically significant differences were found in IOP values between right and left eyes for the species studied (> .22), with the exception of the ring-necked parakeet (= .001). The results of this study provide representative IOP values measured using rebound tonometry in 8 different species of companion birds.