Elastography acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI): an investigation of ocular elasticity in dogs with chronic secondary glaucoma

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the elasticity of the optic nerve (ON) and retinal-choroid-sclera complex (RCSC) in dogs with healthy eyes and secondary glaucoma using ARFI elastography. ARFI elastography was performed on normal eyes (n = 25) and affected by glaucoma (n = 25). The mean values of shear wave velocity (SWV) of the ON and RCSC were compared between groups by the Student’s t-test. The correlation between elastography measurements of the ON and RCSC and the intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured. The SWV of the optic nerve in glaucomatous eyes (4.77 ± 1.59 m/s) was being significantly higher than in healthy eyes (2.34 ± 0.45 m/s) (p 0.05). However, there was a slight positive correlation between RCSC and ON shear velocity in the glaucoma group (r = 0.38; p = 0.05). The shear wave velocity rate values of ON and RCSC tissues in glaucomatous eyes are greater than in healthy eyes, suggesting that they are less elastic, or harder, in glaucomatous eyes.Key words: Canine, intraocular pressure, ocular ultrasonography, elastography, ARFI