Intraocular pressure using rebound tonometry in the San Cristobal Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis chathamensis)

Abstract

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a quantitative assessment to help determine some pathology associated with the eye. Captive-reared Galápagos tortoises (Chelonoidis chathamensis) benefit from health assessments to make repopulation efforts as successful as possible. The goal of this study was to determine if intraocular pressure could be accurately assessed and to create a baseline measurement for intraocular pressure in Galápagos tortoises. Intraocular pressures were obtained from both eyes of 39 tortoises at the Galapaguera of Cerro Colorado on San Cristóbal Island during their health assessment examinations. The intraocular pressures were analyzed and compiled to determine a mean pressure of 13.38 mmHg±3.81 mmHg. Intraocular pressure is possible to obtain during health assessments in Galápagos tortoises, and additional measurements could lead to a reference interval.