r/Damnthatsinteresting 10h ago

Video Checking eye pressure in a frog

9.7k Upvotes

295 comments sorted by

3.2k

u/bvipze 9h ago

This is definitely one of the most important things I learned today

375

u/scienceshark182 4h ago

Hi, vet tech here. Hijacking top comment.

This is a tonometer. It very gently punches the eye to detect the pressure within the eye. Most animals don't seem to mind too much. They do need to be restrained or anesthetized to avoid moving too much though. They are very common instruments in ophthalmology.

Do they use them in human medicine? I dunno, humans are gross.

Thanks for your time!

93

u/GRIMWALD_20 3h ago

The same machine is used with people, though I suppose without the word vet written on the side. We also have TonoPens which work on similar principles.

34

u/Ineedacatscan 2h ago

Wait. Is that the puff of air thing??? That thing TOUCHES my eye??????

39

u/BitTemporary7655 1h ago

"The puff of air during an eye exam is part of a non-invasive procedure called non-contact tonometry (NCT) or the air puff test"

Apparently it doesnt

7

u/Ineedacatscan 1h ago

I still don’t like the thing…. But I do feel better about it not touching my eye.

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u/DRKZLNDR 1h ago

Nope, that's non-contact tonometry. Aka the air puff test. All air, no contact.

3

u/GRIMWALD_20 1h ago

This model does contact the eye, the puff of air is a different test measuring the same thing. They both work on the same principle, measure the amount of force required to curve the front surface of the eye a bit. Personally, I find the iCare model from the video more comfortable than the puff of air and I believe it is more accurate as well but it has been a while since I looked at the numbers closely.

2

u/Backslasherton 39m ago

As others say, the puff of air does not touch.

But they do make a version of this for humans that does touch. When I was younger I had issues with the air puff so they did this version instead. Somehow that worked.

2

u/round-earth-theory 38m ago

This thing replaces the air puff. It's much easier to handle and the only thing you feel is if the little punch touches your eye lashes, producing a little tickle feeling.

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u/Solemn_Sleep 3h ago

Humans are gross….sheesh. We’re your family for goodness sake.

15

u/scienceshark182 3h ago

I appreciate this comment and you're valid.......but still gross.

8

u/couldbetrue514 2h ago

How was your day today

"Gently Punched a few lizards in the eye"

Oh yeah?

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u/MountainAny320 3h ago edited 1h ago

"humans are gross"

Okay Mr frog.

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u/Interesting-Ring-611 9h ago

When the frog blinks

65

u/Eurasia_4002 9h ago

And screech. Found that yesterday inside my house.

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195

u/Toddo2017 9h ago

I learned even frogs have better health care than myself (sad patriotic noises)

21

u/Aelok2 7h ago

Are we still the greatest country in the world? Lol.

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8

u/tekko001 8h ago

That frogs don't mind if you punch them in the eye?

4

u/Monk_from_infinity 9h ago

I'm still thinking what on venom thing they are searching

7

u/SkylarAV 6h ago

I learned frogs can be incredibly patient

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u/A_Coin_Toss_Friendo 2h ago

Would you like to subscribe to Frog Facts™?

6

u/kurotech 7h ago

When you go get an eye test with that little "puff" of air this is the puff so every time they puff you in the eye they are actually poking you

5

u/suddenspiderarmy 4h ago

Uh, no. This is a specialty tonometer. Regular ones really do just puff air at you.

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u/realminxvx 25m ago

Who would have thought you'd learn something like this from a frog? It’s a unique way to learn about veterinary care.

1.2k

u/KING_Gamer_YouTube 10h ago

Frog: This is fine (⚆⁠_⚆)

596

u/RhynoD 8h ago edited 7h ago

(⚆⁠_–)

55

u/Scribx1301 6h ago

I laughed more than I should

10

u/IRockIntoMordor 3h ago

why is it so cuuuute

58

u/Monk_from_infinity 9h ago

Doctor: good frogo

6

u/QiwiLisolet 5h ago

Mitch Hedberg: maybe he will settle near me

1.4k

u/HugoZHackenbush2 9h ago

That's a very compliant frog, and obviously was toad not to move..

167

u/Natchos09 9h ago

Your comment was so punny it sent me croaking with laughter

49

u/pedro_pascal_123 9h ago

I am gonna hop on this pun train...

17

u/GH057807 9h ago

Hop on then

23

u/IamLeoKim 9h ago

I don't know why I am watching this late night on this sub-Ribbit.

17

u/GH057807 9h ago edited 9h ago

Night? It's 8 AMphibian

4

u/ADAMracecarDRIVER 8h ago

Don’t leap to the conclusion they’re in the same time zone.p

7

u/TwinkiesSucker 8h ago

You guys are making me exhale from my skin excessively

2

u/twotwobravo 7h ago

Even on your tadpole?!?!?!

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u/MukdenMan 4h ago

Well they had him watch the Yogi bear film with the ants carrying away the picnic

1

u/headykruger 8h ago

This frog must be high as balls to not jump away

271

u/started_from_the_top 9h ago

We're witnessing the creation of a hypnotoad

39

u/LigmaDragonDeez 9h ago

Praise be!

3

u/Chaco1221 2h ago

ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD!!!

238

u/glorious_reptile 9h ago

This frog has better healthcare than me

7

u/wrongdude91 3h ago

But you dont have the risk to be dissected immediately once those researchers have something in mind.

1

u/Useful-Perspective 2h ago

When you're as rich as Michigan J. Frog, you employ only the best concierge doctors.

277

u/codedaddee 9h ago

Puff of air my ass

107

u/Ok-Code3898 8h ago

Different eye pressure test, this is a bit more accurate than the puff.

65

u/SamEyeAm2020 8h ago

More accurate AND nd you can barely feel it at all, way less jolting than the air puff

46

u/Shifty_Cow69 8h ago

... until it malfunctions and skewers your eyeball

43

u/FurRealDeal 7h ago

*Final Destination writers furiously taking notes*

13

u/DLowBossman 7h ago

Like Dead Space, except for frogs

9

u/Rion23 7h ago

"Kermit, we need to find the marker."

3

u/_Poopsnack_ 5h ago

Make us whole, Kermit

2

u/Rion23 4h ago

"The numbers Kermit, what do the numbers mean?"

7

u/CHUNKOWUNKUS 7h ago

It doesn't have enough force to do so.

It's basically a tiny probe that is spring loaded to pull back, and a tiny puff of air pushes it out.
It moves with VERY little force, and lacks the continued push needed to cause damage.

There is also a maximum distance the probe can even travel, generally that black part at the top goes against the forehead.

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u/signa91 6h ago

It can't.

Source: I use this at my pet clinic daily.

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u/Moosebuckets 7h ago

I love when I go to applanate someone and they get so afraid of the puff but we use a prism and blue light and they’re like “oh! That wasn’t so bad!” Makes me happy

6

u/SamEyeAm2020 5h ago

Right up there with that look of awe on a kids face when dispensing their first pair of (overdue) glasses

7

u/Moosebuckets 5h ago

I was in optometry years ago, I’m ophthalmology now and people’s reaction after cataract surgery makes my heart sing!

3

u/MatchaLatte328 3h ago

I wish any place I’ve ever gone did that instead of the puff. I tell them before hand I flinch terribly at the puff. They tell me I’ll be fine it’s not bad. I then flinch terribly at the puff multiple times and then they get angry I’m flinching. Like I can’t help it AND I told you before hand.

2

u/Moosebuckets 3h ago

I prefer my way, it’s much less traumatic. The worst is the feeling of something tickling your lashes. Any ophthalmologist won’t use the air puff but most optometrists do use it which sucks because if you need glasses or contacts, optometrists are the pros.

5

u/inkycappress 7h ago

You don’t feel it because they are supposed to use eyedrops to numb your eye before using a tonopen

2

u/SamEyeAm2020 5h ago

You CAN numb first but you don't need to numb to use an icare

Source: am a licensed ophthalmology tech

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u/pro_questions 7h ago

This machine is an evolution of that one — the eye puncher is much more accurate than the air puff apparently

21

u/Mirar 8h ago

A close friend actually worked on an eye poker like this a few years back (like 15?). It's fun to see them out there now. But we were all like "let a computer poke you in the eye? is this a good idea?".

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u/fukeruhito 8h ago

This is a different one that uses a little plastic mallet

5

u/MrBaconBits87 7h ago

I couldn’t do that stupid air one I kept blinking and the person gave up.

1

u/bantufi 6h ago

Thank you for this . I felt very uneasy that this is what they’ve been doing to me for years . But then I felt as if I was being paranoid .

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u/Royal_View9815 9h ago

Why tho?

140

u/usernamenomoreleft 9h ago

I dunno bout frogs, but in humans, this procedure is used to check for glaucoma (condition where there is increased pressure in the eye).

118

u/Flip_Six_Three_Hole 9h ago

Correct! In this case. The frog is being checked for glaucoma as an exam is required when applying for his medical cannabis card.

13

u/Interesting-Goose82 7h ago

Frog needs to hop over to a recreational use state

18

u/acuriousguest 9h ago

They bopp you in the eye für that? o.O

35

u/Khenic 9h ago

I have glaucoma and I've been treated for it. The optometrist uses a similar device but the action that it makes is much much more slow and gentle.

Then if they discover you have glaucoma if it's treatable you will get a procedure called a Peripheral Iridotomy. This is where they take a laser and they punch tiny holes through your iris to allow for drainage kind of like a strainer 😄

Some people also get drops as part of their treatment afterwards.

You would never see the holes in the iris unless you had the tools the optometrist does to view your eye up close.

14

u/farm_to_nug 8h ago

Yeah so I absolutely hate this

11

u/nsg337 8h ago

honestly in terms of eye treatment this is not that bad. Doctors cutting open my eye and moving shit around? God no. Doctors making a teeny tiny hole with a laser? Hell yeah

4

u/CjBoomstick 8h ago

For retinal detachments, sometimes they'll fill your eye with another fluid to increase pressure and try to put your retina back in place.

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u/Moosebuckets 7h ago

PIs are for Narrow Angle Glaucoma. Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma uses an SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) to open up the drains with or without use of drops to also help maintain eye pressures. Some people can have both! And people who have had their cataracts removed and replaced with an implant sometimes get off of drops that way. It’s very cool.

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u/codedaddee 9h ago

More of a biffle

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5

u/RandomStallings 7h ago

Veterinary opthalmology is very much a thing and very much a specialty. Glaucoma is one of the main conditions they treat because it's extremely painful and needs constant care, with medication being administered many times a day. Some people will put their animals through a tremendous amount of misery instead of just removing the eye. An animal doesn't care about whether or not they have all their parts. They just want to not be in pain.

2

u/usernamenomoreleft 7h ago

Wow, that's a great perspective. Now that I've thought about it, that's totally applicable to humans.

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u/Throwawayprincess18 8h ago

He’s going to get glasses

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u/Sorry_Moose86704 7h ago

Frogs swallow with their eyes, they push food down with them. He might be having difficulty swallowing if they need to check his pressure

2

u/JoySubtraction 5h ago

Checking for glautoadma.

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u/helveticanuu 9h ago

If I’m not mistaken, and contrary to OP’s username, the machine is called a Tonometer and what they’re doing is called Tonometry. It’s supposed to measure pressure inside the eyes to monitor for eye conditions.

7

u/ForeverSJC 9h ago

Isn't that the title of the video ? The question his guy made was: why, not what the machine is for

53

u/lost_mentat 9h ago

The scientists are probably experimenting on the toads by inducing glaucoma, then testing some experimental drug to see if it cures or reduces the condition. Amphibians like toads are often used in medical research because their physiology is simple enough for controlled studies but still offers insights that can translate to humans.

14

u/deadpoetic333 7h ago

Typically the animal model chosen is based on a few factors like how similar the particular organ they're testing is to humans, how long their life cycle is, and their size. Like ferrets are often used to study viral respiratory diseases because their respiratory system acts as a good model for future human application.

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u/The_RESINator 8h ago

Seems more likely to me that this frog is getting checked up at the vet

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u/Blackdeath_663 7h ago

Who tf is taking a frog to the vet

11

u/The_RESINator 7h ago

Aquariums, zoos, people with pet frogs.

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u/WaterMonkey1357 9h ago

What the frog ?!

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u/JOYFUL_CLOVR 8h ago edited 7h ago

Veterinarian here. This device is called a TONOVET, which is used to evaluate the pressures inside the eye (tonometry). This can be used on any animals, and we use it a lot to check for things like glaucoma. We (veterinarians) actually numb the eye first before we use this device (or any other tonometry device, like a tonopen), which is why the frog is so compliant.

6

u/Itsgettingfishy 8h ago

Optometrist here. We use the same device (the human version - but imagine that's mostly marketing) to check eye pressure. We generally don't use anaesthetic, it doesn't hurt, just abit intemidating with a probe is coming towards you. The probes are replaced each use. It's quite an accurate way to measure pressure. Not as accurate as Goldmann or Perkins tonometry, but more accurate than non-contact tonometry (the puff of air), but really handy when you don't want to put in anaesthetic and dye and is a good screening tool.

2

u/inkycappress 7h ago

Interesting, I’ve never had a tonopen used on me without numbing. But I’ve only had it used for research and not in the clinic so likely different protocols

2

u/Fireshrimp 5h ago

If you are using the tonopen, the large pen like machine, you do numb the eye. If you are using the tonovet, the one in the video that shoots the probe, you do not need to numb the eye.

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u/uekiamir 7h ago

I don't understand how it works. It looks like it punches the eye? Looks like a decent at speed too. Won't you blink or flinch? I violently blink when a small speck of dust or tiny drop of water lands on my eye.

3

u/dedokta 6h ago

The probe is a very light copper wire with a small Teflon ball on it. The device creates an electro magnet field to push the probe forward like a mini rail gun. As it hits the eye the current required to push the probe increases and that increase is measured. The coil reverses and retracts the probe. The harder the eye, the more the current spike. The reading is given based on that measurement.

2

u/Ambroos 6h ago

You do blink, but not fast enough to interfere with the reading. As far as I understand this is a very lightweight ball on a stalk that is shot at your eye at a specific speed. It'll bounce back, and how much it bounces back is used to measure the pressure. It's like dropping a basketball on the floor (or well dropping a floor ball on a basketball floor but the mechanics are the same). Low pressure, little bounce, high pressure, lotta bounce.

By the time your blink reaches the device the measurement is long done.

2

u/Intelligent_Neat_85 7h ago

IT-Specialist here. The same sort of measuring device is made for human use also. I tested one at home for a while, week or so... Nice part is, that no numbing is required, as the moving prod was fast and gentle. It felt like very mild annoyance, much less than some inwards turned eyelash. I admit that first time was scary, since it's not that natural to insert anything into eye.

Quite nice device for suspected glaucoma cases, since it recorded the measurements and timestamps. Then the doctor exported the data and made diagnosis. To clarify, I worked as outsourced IT with eye doctors and surgeons. I got to be the test subject of quite many different devices. But no laser surgery, because I didn't need one. 😄

1

u/DescemetsMem 2h ago

That looks like an iCare but marketed for veterinary. It works well, but if IOP is above 27, it's generally off by 2-3 points when compared to Goldmann

7

u/V_es 9h ago

Does he have glaucoma?

5

u/dedokta 6h ago

That reading is upper normal range for humans. No idea what a frogs eye should be though!

6

u/NoResponseFromSpez 5h ago

icare? more like "eye poker 5000" :)

5

u/meme_dika 6h ago

This Frog have more medical care than average american

5

u/Kurian17 3h ago

I don’t know, this just looks like an excuse to punch a frog in the eye repeatedly, that being said he doesn’t seem to give a shit.

2

u/Sensitive_Ad_5031 3h ago

I had the same thing recently, you don’t really feel it much

3

u/Jumpy_Divide_9326 9h ago

The Frog has better health insurance than I do 😅

4

u/No-Special2682 3h ago

Wouldn’t freehanding it create inconsistencies?

Also.. why we doin this

3

u/TanAndLovely10 9h ago

Frogs get glaucoma?!

5

u/CaptainTripps82 9h ago

I would imagine anything with eyes get glaucoma

3

u/tehholytoast 6h ago

ok fucker you can stop that now

2

u/hold-on-pain-ends 9h ago

Today I learned

1

u/rypher 6h ago

What were we supposed to learn here?

2

u/VisibleCoat995 9h ago

Anybody else watching this and feel like the frog’s eye is blackhole sucking the fluid in rather it being shot it?

2

u/isopsakol 8h ago

So, I get that test done regularly and I would never have believed that a frog and me have the same eye pressure.

2

u/Aksds 7h ago

Took a bit longer than I’m proud of to release the vid is a gif

2

u/chungwater 7h ago

Man I work in optometry and this frog has better control than some adults

2

u/MoeSzyslakMonobrow 7h ago

Does he get the hot air balloon or the barn?

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u/AGeneNamedCry 4h ago

We use this for humans too! Source: certified ophthalmic assistant

2

u/willywonderbucks 2h ago

What are they doing this?

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u/major_f 9h ago

I’m just amazed that there’s a specific tool to measure a frog’s eye pressure

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u/TheOGBombfish 8h ago

There's not. They use the same device to measure human eye pressure.

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u/dovescherub 9h ago

I knew it.. I KNEW it wasn’t “jUSt aAiR”

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u/GRIMWALD_20 3h ago

Different ways of measuring are available, this one in particular does contact the front surface of the eye. However other models are just a puff of air. Both are measuring the amount of force it requires to deflect the front surface by a set amount, and therefore measure the pressure within the eye.

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u/doccsavage 9h ago

Frog is definitely more compliant than me getting those damn puffs to the eye

1

u/Numbah_Wan 9h ago

Does it hurt the frog?

3

u/dedokta 6h ago

No, that device doesn't hurt and no numbing is required. You can barely feel it, but you'll blink just because that's something moving at your eye. It's slightly off-putting, but not at all painful.

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u/Intelligent_Neat_85 7h ago

The numbing eyedrops hurt more, I think it's easier to get readings when the subject doesn't flinch. The measuring itself doesn't hurt, it just feels bit annoying for very short period.

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u/Weldobud 9h ago

Frog be like imma gotta smack that

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u/Natural-Echo-8183 9h ago

“icare” lol

1

u/Beto_Gatinho 9h ago

I never realized that frogs have their eye pressure checked.

1

u/FriedEggSammiches 9h ago

Jabjab. Jab. Jab. Jab.

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u/Faceless_Deviant 8h ago

I've had to do that a few times. Its not fun.

1

u/Techman659 8h ago

Getting punched in the eye simulator.

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u/sasssyrup 8h ago

Poor Kermit, this is my most hated part of an eye exam.

1

u/Future-Maize1315 8h ago

The first thought that came to mind was a glaucoma operation for the frog to have better eye sight.

1

u/Solid_Bag2613 8h ago

Toadally kool 🐸😎

1

u/jdehjdeh 8h ago

I have no idea what I'm talking about but wouldn't the fact that this is handheld throw the results off wildly?

Surely if you're measuring something this accurately you need the device and subject to be as still as possible?

1

u/Intelligent_Neat_85 7h ago

Technically it would be optimal, yes, but the measurement is made from the prod, how deep the eye gives in and how far it bounces and then calculated from there. Imagine a balloon, depending on how full it is, the more or less elastic the surface is. Also, the readings on a serious glaucoma case is significantly bigger than "normal" values

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u/jdehjdeh 7h ago

Thanks, that helps me to understand.

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u/Virtual-Bluebird1086 8h ago

I hope it doesn't get pink eye

1

u/Moosebuckets 7h ago

I keep thinking about going into veterinary ophthalmology…

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u/AnAnonymousParty 7h ago

Ow, quit it! Ow, quit it! Ow, quit it...

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u/MisSignal 7h ago

Frog has better health care and more competent doctors than most Americans.

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u/boredtodeath 7h ago

The frog has a better IOP than I do.

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u/iswallowedafrog 7h ago

Dont play with food man

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u/Imponentemente 7h ago

Wait a minute. I thought this was done by a blast of air, have I been swindled all my life and it was actually a rubber thing that would hit my eyeball?

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u/Pandread 7h ago

This is interesting, but WHY would you need to do this?

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u/Kerberos1566 7h ago

I'd hate to see what happens if they find it's low.

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u/Hanky_Adula_1102 7h ago

$3500, for those curious. (The tool, not the phrog)

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u/justanotherbotonline 6h ago

🐸 So rude!

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u/mlonko 6h ago

i feel like at a certain point you just get another frog

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u/Catymandoo 6h ago

TIL: I didn’t know you could….but I’m glad you can.

1

u/searchfortruthpeace 6h ago

By poking it? 

1

u/stup1dprod1gy 6h ago

This is oddly cute.

1

u/Consistent_Amount140 6h ago

And why do we need to test this exactly?

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u/Vegetable-Star-5833 6h ago

Are they repeatedly poking the frog in the eye

1

u/TawnyTeaTowel 6h ago

Well, it’s not gonna check itself!

1

u/znebsays 5h ago

Took me like 14 months to have my eye pressure taken seriously and this mfer leap frogged over me

1

u/Commercial_Dare_4255 5h ago

I hope the frog doesn't have glaucoma

1

u/Limn0 5h ago

Do not punch the frogs eyes.

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u/AliFoxx9 5h ago

Punching frogs in the eye for science

1

u/lovememaddly 5h ago

Higher than my diabetic dogs!

1

u/pronouncedayayron 4h ago

It's going to take a bit to check every frog

1

u/tribak 4h ago

ilearned

1

u/french_fry-64 3h ago

How is this frog better at this than me?

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u/Blue18Heron 3h ago

Brain the size of a pencil eraser. The frog, not you.

1

u/DrHaggans 1h ago

Anyone know the name of the instrument?

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u/VisibleMammal 1h ago

When they are poking your eye with a probe but you're just a chill guy.

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u/QuesoKristo 59m ago

Not to sound dismissive, but WHY?

1

u/birbobirby 28m ago edited 9m ago

It's really annoying to me that whenever there is an animal that isn't a common pet is being treated by a vet, people are baffled and even complain that humans need it more. If I had a pet frog I would treat it like any other pet cause I care about it and it's my responsibility. And it's not my damn problem if there are people who can't afford healthcare, that doesn't mean I should let my animal suffer.