Central Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure Increases With Age in Normal Holstein Cattle

To establish the central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) of normal Holstein cattle and any relationship with age.

Age of 50 Holstein cattle was recorded in days. CCT was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry, and IOP values were recorded by rebound tonometry from a total of 100 eyes. CCT and IOP values were subsequently analyzed in relation to age. The animals were divided into the following two groups: calves (< 360 days old) and adults (≥ 360 days old).

Mean CCT value of all animals was 723.1 ± 75.9 μm in the right eye, 714.5 ± 82.2 μm in the left eye. Mean IOP value of 100 eyes was 25.4 ± 8.07 mm/Hg in the right eye, 24 ± 7.89 mm/Hg in the left eye. Mean CCT and IOP values of the animals < 360 days old were 697.7 ± 8.28 μm and 21.6 ± 0.77 mm/Hg respectively. Mean CCT and IOP values of the animals ≥ 360 days old were 768.1 ± 14.4 μm and 31.9 ± 1.18 mm/Hg, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of CCT and IOP values (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was identified between CCT and age (r = 0.57, p < 0.001) and between IOP and age (r = 0.488, p < 0.001).

This study documents the age-related increase in both CCT and IOP values in cattle.