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. 1998 Jul;82(7):821–825. doi: 10.1136/bjo.82.7.821

Relation between pressure determined by ophthalmodynamometry and aortic pressure in the dog

W Morgan 1, D Yu 1, V Alder 1, S Cringle 1, I Constable 1
PMCID: PMC1722653  PMID: 9924380

Abstract

AIMS—Ophthalmodynamometry has been used extensively since the last century; however, controversy surrounds what it actually measures. This study was set up to determine the relation between ophthalmodynamometric (ODP) and systemic blood pressures.
METHODS—Aortic pressure was continuously monitored and altered by phlebotomy in six anaesthetised dogs, while ophthalmodynamometry was performed, by directly altering intraocular pressure. Maxillary artery pressure was monitored in two animals. All pressure transducers were zeroed at eye level.
RESULTS—Mean ODP was 96.6% (1.6%) (95% confidence interval, n = 49) of aortic pressure. Mean maxillary artery pressure was 95.7% (5.5%) (95% CI, n = 16) of aortic pressure. ODP was 1.9 (0.6) mm Hg (95% CI, n = 33) higher than maxillary artery pressures.
CONCLUSION—ODP was only slightly below aortic pressure and not significantly different from maxillary artery pressure, the analogue of the internal carotid artery in humans. These results also suggest a retinal artery collapse pressure of at least 1.9 mm Hg.

 Keywords: ophthalmodynamometry; dog; arterial pressure

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Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

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Typical traces of aortic and maxillary artery (max A) pressures. First CRA pulsation (diastolic ODP) was seen when IOP was elevated to a level equal to aortic and maxillary diastolic pressure. Complete CRA closure (systolic ODP) was seen when IOP was elevated to a level above maxillary artery but below aortic systolic pressure.

Figure 2  .

Figure 2  

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Ophthalmodynamometric (ODP) diastolic versus aortic diastolic pressure and ODP systolic versus aortic systolic pressure, with regression and 95% confidence interval lines. It can be seen that diastolic ODP is almost equivalent to aortic diastolic pressure, and that the systolic ODP is slightly less than aortic systolic pressure.

Figure 3  .

Figure 3  

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Ophthalmodynamometric (ODP) and maxillary artery (maxill) pressures versus aortic pressure in two animals. The aortic pressure was varied by phlebotomy. Systolic and diastolic pressures are shown. Both systolic and diastolic maxillary artery pressures are seen to be slightly less than ODP.

Selected References

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