Retinal Dysplasia

What is Retinal Dysplasia?
The retina is the tissue-thin layer of nerve cells at the back of the eye that is responsible for visual reception. It is normally flat and smooth, but some dogs are born with wrinkles or folds in it. Such areas can either cause vision to be obscured or distorted in those areas. In most cases the dog gets along well, although his vision may have blind or warped spots of various sizes. Fortunately, it does not get worse with age.

How does my dog get Retinal Dysplasia?
Retinal dysplasia is present at birth, although it's difficult to identify it until about 6 weeks of age. It is thought to be inherited as a simple recessive, at least in some breeds. Less commonly, prenatal infections, such as canine herpes, or some drugs, or irradiation can cause retinal dysplasia. These types can usually be differentiated from hereditary types, however.

How do I know if my dog has Retinal Dysplasia?
if your dog has only minor folds, you probably won't notice it. If he has moderate folds, he may miss items you throw.  If he has severe folds, he may bump into things or misjudge distances. Your veterinarian can use an ophthalmoscope to peer inside your dog's eye. A veterinary ophthalmologist is especially trained to detect small folds, and is a better choice if you want to make sure your dog is free of the disease.

What can I do about Retinal Dysplasia?
There's nothing you can do about the condition, but you can take care to make sure your dog's visual deficits don't cause him problems.  If he has severe visual problems, you may wish to treat him as you would a blind dog, taking care not to move furniture or to place overhanging obstacles in his way.

Is there anything I can do to prevent getting Retinal Dysplasia?
Before breeding, your dog should be cleared by a veterinary ophthalmologist, especially if he's one of the 40 or so breeds in which retinal dysplasia is seen.  Before a buying a dog of these breeds, you should look for parents who have been cleared. A CERF examination in the last year is the accepted clearance.

Are there certain breeds that get Retinal Dysplasia more often?
There are over 40 breeds reported to have Retinal Dysplasia.  Some breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers and Samoyeds, have a particular type of retinal dysplasia that also affects the skeletal system. There is a DNA test for this type.