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Comparing optic nerve head parameters in two Spanish dog breeds using digital planimetry
C Merchán1, P Mesa1, E M Martín-Suárez1
1Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Córdoba University, Campus de Rabanales Crt Madrid-Cádiz km 396, 14014 Córdoba, Spain.
Research in Veterinary Science
|September 4, 2023
Summary
Optic nerve head (ONH) measurements in dogs vary significantly by breed and age. Digital planimetry (DP) offers a reliable method for assessing these canine ONH parameters, aiding in clinical interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Ophthalmology
- Comparative Anatomy
- Ophthalmic Imaging
Background:
- Optic disc variations in dogs complicate lesion interpretation due to a lack of reference patterns.
- Myelination significantly influences optic disc size, shape, and color in canine eyes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare optic nerve head (ONH) parameters between Spanish Greyhounds (SG) and Spanish Water Dogs (SWD) using digital planimetry (DP).
- To evaluate the influence of age and breed on ONH morphology in dogs.
- To assess the reliability of DP for ONH measurements in canine ophthalmology.
Main Methods:
- Digital planimetry (DP) was employed to calculate ONH parameters including vertical/horizontal diameters, area, circularity, and regional proportions (top/bottom height).
- Image analysis software was used for measurements, with comparisons made between two pure breeds: SG and SWD.
- Linear and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the impact of age and breed on ONH parameters.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in ONH height, width, area, and circularity were found between SWD and SG breeds.
- Age was a significant factor influencing mean disc height, width, area, and circularity (R² values ranging from 0.243 to 0.310).
- A multiple regression model incorporating age and breed accurately predicted ONH dimensions (R² values up to 0.742).
- High concordance was observed between measurements by experienced and novice researchers, and between manual and software-derived data.
Conclusions:
- Digital planimetry (DP) provides a reliable and easily executable method for measuring canine optic nerve head (ONH) parameters, even for novice operators.
- Breed and age are critical factors influencing canine ONH morphology, necessitating breed-specific reference ranges.
- These findings have potential clinical value for diagnosing and monitoring canine eye conditions, though further research is needed due to inherent variability.
