Some anatomical features, tonometry and fundus examination of pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Sensory systems of dolphins have been studied for a long time, but their visual system is extremely insufficiently described. In the clinical veterinary ophthalmology in cetaceans there are no protocols for tonometric examinations of the eyes of toothed whales, and the understanding of how to prevent eye diseases affecting dolphins under human care (or wild individuals undergoing rehabilitation) is extremely limited. The aim of the work is to consider the anatomical features of cetacean eyes, as well as to introduce tonometric data and fundus examination in dolphins into the practice of routine veterinary examinations, which in the future may provide preventive detection of ophthalmological pathologies. The fundus of four Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) kept in artificial conditions were examined using a portable and mobile fundus camera Optomed Smartscope PRO, and their intraocular pressure was measured using a veterinary tonometer TONOVET Plus. The obtained tonometric data ranged from 27±2 mm to 10±1 mm Hg.