Abstract

Background:
Corneal sensitivity is a crucial ophthalmic parameter for the protection and maintenance of ocular health in horses.

Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate the corneal sensitivity in 80 eyes of 40 Pantaneiro horses using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer, in order to establish reference values for this population.

Methods:
The animals were considered clinically healthy after a complete ophthalmic examination. Measurements were taken in central cornea of both eyes, and the data were analyzed for mean, standard deviation, and potential differences between eyes, sex, and age groups.

Results:
The average corneal sensitivity measured by the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer in the evaluated Pantaneiro horse population was 1.72 cm ± 0.45 cm, with no differences found between eyes (p=0.745) or sexes (p=0.434).

Conclusion:
This study contributes to filling an important gap in the veterinary ophthalmic literature by providing normative data on corneal sensitivity in Pantaneiro horses, a breed still underrepresented in comparative ophthalmologic studies.

Key words: Horses; Cornea; Esthesiometry; Veterinary ophthalmology; Cochet-Bonnet.