Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Full-Circle Cauterization of Limbal Vascular Plexus for Surgically Induced Glaucoma in Rodents
Published on: February 15, 2022
Ophthalmic parameters in adult lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) raised in captivity
Camila P Balthazar da Silveira1, Tiago B Lima1, Roberta M Crivelaro1
1Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
To investigate the ophthalmic parameters of lowland pacas, including the anatomic features, tear production, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, and morphology of the corneal endothelium.
Animals Studied:
Thirteen adult, anesthetized Cuniculus paca.
Procedure:
Eyes were evaluated using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, the Schirmer tear test I, digital applanation tonometry, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, and noncontact specular microscopy.
Results:
The biomicroscopy findings showed blue/brown pigmented bulbar conjunctivae, well-developed cilia (only in the upper eyelid margin), superior and inferior lacrimal puncta, brown irides, round pupils, and vestiges of the nictitating membrane. The results of the Schirmer tear test I revealed (mean ± SD) a lacrimation rate of 4.10 ± 0.44 mm/min. The intraocular pressure was 6.34 ± 0.43 mmHg. Central corneal thickness measured by specular microscopy was 0.35 ± 0.01 mm. The mean values of density, hexagonality, and the area of the endothelial cells were 2083.15 ± 42.47 cells/mm2 , 67.07 ± 3.30%, and 486.30 ± 9.56 μm2 , respectively.
Conclusions:
The ocular parameters defined in this study may be used for reference in future studies and might also contribute to therapeutic approaches appropriate to this species.
