Intraocular Pressure - update 16th Sept

Does anyone know the 'normal' range for rabbits?

Our Crystal is being tested for glaucoma using a Tonometer. Our vet doesn't have a tonometer and would have to borrow one, but an optician friend of ours has agreed to come and test her on a home visit.

Our vet is hunting down the normal range but it would help if I had the stats to hand for when the optician comes.

Can anyone help please? *flutters eyelashes*

Interesting question - as an optician too I am curious.

I have had a quick google but can't find any info - too many links to induced glaucoma in experimental bunnies

All I have found is that it is very rare in bunnies and is usually caused by inflammation or trauma. In humans in the majority of cases it is a chronic disease.

I could only find the experiments too

Our vet has had a really good look at her eyes, there's no ulcers or scarring, but her eyes are bigger than normal, very cloudy (bluish in colour), one is worse than the other and she tends to keep the worst one closed most of the time.

I'll let you know the outcome (if any!)

How old is Crystal?

I seem to think that oversized eyes are more likely to be prone to glaucoma. The cornea does become cloudy if the IOP is raised for a significant amount of time.

Poor Crystal - I hope you manage to find a cause for her eye problems.

We don't know exactly how old she is, we've had her here for over three years and she was an adult when we got her.

I'll try and get some pics so you can see her eyes

Sorry,I dont have any references.

I hope Crystal gets on OK. I freaked when having my IOP done

Don't worry Jane - you are not the only one

Men are usually the worst!

Lynda - have been doing some digging around ( too many buns experimented on) and I have found an average reading of IOP for a bun at around 17mmHg.

This is pretty much the same as in humans and therefore if we assume buns are experimented on as their eyes are similar to humans with regard to IOP's and how they react to medication then I would say that a pressure reading of above 25mmHg is suspicious and anything above 30 is likely to cause problems.

I hope this helps.

Brilliant I've made a note of them and will discuss with optician and vet, thank you so much

Ok, he's done the test

Crystal's came out at 22, which as we and the optician thought was within the ok range, the optician did a quick look on the net earlier in the day to see if there were any guidelines too but could only find the experimental ones ......... so, just for comparison, we checked out some of the buns with healthy eyes , Billy's was 8 and Peggy-sue's was 10 He noticed her eyes were very dry and thought that perhaps lubrication/false tears may help.

He's going to have a word with our vet tomorrow.

Oh pooh, Lynda, I have just missed you.

I sent a question to Dana Krempels through AllExperts and her reply is

'our veterinary ophthalmolgist doesn't like to see the IOP higher than about 15 in a rabbit, as they are more susceptible to glaucoma. She considers a rabbit on the high end of the IOP spectrum to be a candidate for anti-glaucoma treatment, just to be on the safe side'

It sounds then that Crystal does have a problem with raised IOP's, especially given the readings on the other bunnies, and treatment may well be appropriate.

Thanks Vanessa, I've pm'd you

The vet has decided it is glaucoma and she's now on Trusopt (dorzolamide hydrochloride) drops twice a day until futher notice, along with Viscotears liquid gel as often as possible.

This is her 'good' eye:



and this is her bad eye, she wasn't opening it very much cos of the sunlight:

Awwwww bless her

I hope the treatment makes her more comfortable

Such a pretty girl.

I hope the Trusopt soon takes effect. Is your optician friend going to measure her pressures again? It would be good to know the pressures are coming down.

Edit - Lynda, hope I am not interfering but I have just had further info from Dana and her glaucoma bunny is on Trusopt too. Once I have got the info in an email format I will forward it to you if you like.

Thank you

Yes, Steve is interested in her case as well and is happy to pop back in a couple of weeks to do another reading, and further ones after that. It's our vet's first case of glaucoma in a rabbit and he's 'enthusiastic' about it all! , I think he's been boasting to all his vet pals about all the rabbit work he has in his job , such a lovely guy!

And no Vanessa, you're not interfering at all, I really appreciate your help. I'd love to see Dana's info when you have time.

Have forwarded Dana's replies to you via email. She has been so quick to reply, I have been very impressed by her.

I let her know that Crystal has been put on the Trusopt and she immediately replied with the expectation that the pressure should start to fall pretty much straight away.

If Steve is happy to do so then Crystal will need the IOP's checking fairly regularly even when they have stabilised. Is he going to bill the vet for services rendered? Travelling expenses? !!!!!!!!

I am glad you have a bunny loving vet! Sounds like between yourself, Steve and the vet, Crystal is in good hands.

I'll keep an eye out for the email, thanks , nothing received as yet.

Crystal does look a bit more comfortable today and she's only had two doses so far, yay for Trusopt!

Steve's fine with seeing Crystal, he lives nearby. And he's trading treatment with the vet, Steve has a dog , so no, I don't think he'll be billing them, he's just interested in the case and wants to see it through. I'm so lucky!

I am so pleased Crystal is more comfortable.

I sent the email last night to your bunnyhugger email address. It hasn't bounced back to me so I assume it is in cyberspace somewhere If it's not arrived I will try again, I am a bit of a numpty in the PC department!

My clever daughter Louise has PM'd you the email, it's a bit squished up but it is readable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got the pm thanks pass on my thanks to your daughter and thanks for all your help

Update:

Crystal had her pressure tested again, her 'bad' eye hasn't changed and is still 22, her other one is down to 17. Steve suggested that we might want to talk to our vet about Xalatan for her, but I don't know if that's been used in rabbits, he says it works differently

Failing that, she may have to have her eye out

Oh no, that is not the news I was hoping to hear.

I wonder if it is worth trying Timolol alongside the Trusopt for a week to see if this brings the pressure down.

Poor Crystal, hard as it is if the eye is not responding and is causing her discomfort then removal may be the best thing to do. I hope this is not the case

I know Vanessa, but hey, she's got some eyesight back again and is a lot brighter and more alert

I'll mention the Timolol as well, see what he says I'll let you know.

Lets hope that an alternative med can be tried before surgery.

Its good to hear that she's feeling more comfy even if the problem is not totally sorted out yet