Comparison of Corneal Endothelial Imaging Techniques by Specular Microscopy in Unsedated Healthy Dogs.

Peripheral focusing with indirect pupillary light reflex induction is optimal for unsedated canine corneal endothelial imaging.

This study evaluated six different specular microscopy techniques for imaging the corneal endothelium in unsedated healthy dogs to identify the most effective approach. Nineteen eyes from ten systemically healthy dogs with normal corneas were examined using techniques that varied by focal point (central vs. peripheral), pupillary light reflex induction, contact lens application, and gaze fixation methods. Success rates varied significantly among techniques, with peripheral focusing combined with indirect pupillary light reflex induction (PP) and contact lens application (CL) demonstrating superior success rates compared to central focusing without pupillary light reflex (CN). Imaging time analysis revealed PP required significantly shorter times than CN and PN techniques in sensitivity analysis, though no significant differences emerged when analyzing only successful images. Importantly, endothelial cell indices including cell count, endothelial density, and hexagonality showed no significant differences among techniques. The findings indicate that peripheral focusing with indirect pupillary light reflex induction provides the most reliable and efficient method for noncontact specular microscopy evaluation of the canine corneal endothelium without sedation, offering practical advantages for clinical ophthalmologic screening and monitoring.

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