Abstract
Purpose: :
To establish a group of Dutch-Belted rabbits for evaluating intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering compounds by measuring IOP in conscious animals.
Methods: :
24 healthy young adult Dutch-Belted rabbits were included. Two teams of technical staff were dedicated to two groups of 12 animals in each group. In each team, one team member was assigned to measure IOP and at least one to restraining the rabbits. IOP measurements were taken at various times of the day over a three-month period using a Mentor pneumatonometer. 1% Azopt was used to validate the test system in multiple times over a 3-month period.
Results: :
After three weeks of training and acclimation, consistent IOP readings were obtained from each team and noticeable elevated IOP in the afternoon was observed. In the 3-month study period, periodic topical administration of 1% Azopt consistently showed significant IOP lowering effect in 1 to 4 hours.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • drug toxicity/drug effects • aqueous