Retinal Dysplasia (RD) - Golden Retriever Health Problems
Retinal Dysplasia (RD) is a congenital, local or generalized malformation of the retina that may result from trauma, a genetic defect, or damage caused by a viral infection, such as herpesvirus and parvovirus. Most forms of retinal dysplasia in dogs are inherited.
The Retina is a layer of nervous tissue which covers the back of the eyeball where the sensation of vision occurs. The whole eye is just a container for this tissue that supplies the eye with the necessary nutrition and focuses light on the retina. Retinal dysplasia is an abnormal development of the retina. Light microscopic examination of affected eyes will show folds and rosettes within the outer retinal layers. Heritable retinal dysplasia is the most common form and has been described in many breeds of dogs.
Retinal folds rarely cause serious vision problems as they are usually just small blind areas which may not be noticed by the dog. However, large areas of dysplasia (geographic dysplasia) may lead to visual impairment and dogs with retinal detachments may become totally blind. Congenital cataracts, often accompany the retinal dysplasia. Retinal dysplasia is a congenital defect and does not progress as the dog ages.
Symptoms - Some dogs will not have any symptoms and can only be identified with an ophthalmic examination. More severely affected puppies may be partially or totally blind. Retinal dysplasia can be found through a special eye exams performed by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certified ophthalmologists.
Causes - In most cases retinal dysplasia is hereditary, also prenatal infections with herpesvirus and parvovirus, radiation exposure, toxins and trauma may lead to it. The herpes infection in puppies usually results in severe eye inflammation with subsequent retinal dysplasia.
There is no effective treatment for RD. The only way to prevent it is to make sure that the active carriers of RD gene do not breed. All breeding dogs should be registered with the Canine Eye Registry Foundation and should be evaluated before being bred, and then tested yearly by certified eye specialists.