Retinal Dyplasias are a number of different conditions of the eye.
Dysplasia means that there is a malformation of an organ or structure.
The retina is the part of the eye that recieves light and converts this into an
electrical signal for the brain, where the signal is converted to a picture.
Retinal folds are a mild form of dysplasia causing tiny blind spots,
and the dog probably does not have any vision problems.
Geographic dysplasia results in larger blind spots which may
or may not cause vision problems, depending on where they are.
Retinal detachment results in total blindness.
Most of the time Retinal Dysplasia is hereditary or may be caused
by herpesvirus or parvovirus infections, toxins, radiation or trauma.
Retinal dysplasia does not get any worse with age and retinal folds may
even improve as the dogs grows. All forms can be discovered during a
CERF eye exam. There is no treatment for Retinal Dysplasia, so the
breeding of dogs who have or have produced offspring should be
done carefully. In most breeds this is a simple recessive gene,
though in some breeds it is associated with skeletal deformities.
Breeds that commonly have Retinal Dysplasia (RD) are:
American Cocker Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier, Sealyham Terrier,
Bedlington Terrier, Beagle, Labrador Retreiver, Afghan Hound, Akita, Australian
Shepherd, Doberman, Rottweiler & Old English Sheepdog.
Dysplasia means that there is a malformation of an organ or structure.
The retina is the part of the eye that recieves light and converts this into an
electrical signal for the brain, where the signal is converted to a picture.
Retinal folds are a mild form of dysplasia causing tiny blind spots,
and the dog probably does not have any vision problems.
Geographic dysplasia results in larger blind spots which may
or may not cause vision problems, depending on where they are.
Retinal detachment results in total blindness.
Most of the time Retinal Dysplasia is hereditary or may be caused
by herpesvirus or parvovirus infections, toxins, radiation or trauma.
Retinal dysplasia does not get any worse with age and retinal folds may
even improve as the dogs grows. All forms can be discovered during a
CERF eye exam. There is no treatment for Retinal Dysplasia, so the
breeding of dogs who have or have produced offspring should be
done carefully. In most breeds this is a simple recessive gene,
though in some breeds it is associated with skeletal deformities.
Breeds that commonly have Retinal Dysplasia (RD) are:
American Cocker Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier, Sealyham Terrier,
Bedlington Terrier, Beagle, Labrador Retreiver, Afghan Hound, Akita, Australian
Shepherd, Doberman, Rottweiler & Old English Sheepdog.
| Retinal Dyplasia - Retinal Folds |