Eye Disorders
Sudden Acute Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS)
Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) in dogs is not well understood. Clinically there appears to be a rapid onset, permanent blindness due to retinal degeneration. In retrospect owners may recall earlier events that had been supporting the dog’s coping with the physical environment even though they did not notice any sign that the dog had diminishing vision. Many patients have concurrent endocrine abnormalities, such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s). The average age of onset is middle age, 8-10 years. Changes in the retina usually happen in weeks to months, although for some it is in just days after clinical onset of blindness. The most consistent diagnostic finding is a completely extinguished electroretinogram (ERG) test, consistent with no electrical activity of the retina.
Cause is generally considered idiopathic which is another way of saying no identifiable cause. Some evidence suggests there may be an autoimmune component so early treatment in that direction may be effective. Early detection of vision loss is key to early attempts to treat the condition. Progress in that area will be tracked may be tracked by following research progress (Washington and Grozdanic).
Case Histories from BeaCon’s Open Health Registry
References
- Research
- COVSL (comparative ophthalmology & vision sciences lab, UC Davis)
- Vision for Animals Foundation. Lists several references to supported research on SARDS associated disorders (loss of smell, immune mediated damage to the pineal gland, and pathophysiology of associated hypercoagulability.
- NC State University
- Washington DR, Li Z, Fox LC, Mowat FM. Canine sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome: Owner perceptions on the time to vision loss, treatment outcomes, and prognosis for life. Vet Ophthalmol. 2021 Mar;24(2):156-168. doi: 10.1111/vop.12855. This is an abstract; an online survey was used to collect owner information. The majority of owners (65.4%) reported the time from vision disturbance to complete vision loss as <2 weeks; 19.4% reported >4 weeks. A higher proportion of owners reported some vision recovery with combination treatment (14.4%) compared with monotherapy (3.2%, P = .0004)
- VCA Hospitals. Description of definition, cause, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
- Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals. Short description including suggestions for how to help dog transition to complete blindness. Addresses possible use of steroids with need for followup.
- North Downs Specialist Referrals. Includes retinogram images of a normal dog and of a dog affected by SARDs. Mentions possibility of autoimmune component as a cause.
- Correspondence: Sinisa Grozdanic DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVO, Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa; 698 Boyson Road, Hiawatha, IA, 52233 (animaleyeiowa@gmail.com). Dr. Grozdanic has special interest in autoimmune eye disorders, among many other canine eye problems.
Canine Eye Registries in US
CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation)
CERF maintained records of eye screening exams by AVCO (American Veterinary College of Ophthalmologists) certified ophthalmologists until 2011. Research reports included breed specific reports about passing exams and heritable and possibly heritable eye diseases, along with recommendations for breeders. In Beardies the most common heritable eye problem years has been juvenile cataracts which age of onset was variable. For that reason CERF strongly recommended that breeding dogs have yearly CERF eye exams from age 1 to age 5 or 6. The BCCA followed CERF and recommended the same for among its requirements for CHIC certification.
CERF ceased operation in 2014. The Veterinary Medical Database which had hosted the CERF database was transferred to OFA.
- Eye disorders and screening in sires & dams of litter listings, Linda Aronson, DVM & Elsa Sell, MD
- Early CERF Statistics on Heritable Eye Disorders, Elsa Sell, MD
OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER)
Most common eye disorders in Beardies
CAER continues to provide breeders with information eye disorders to guide informed breeding decisions to produce healthier dogs. Board certified (AVCO) veterinary ophthalmologists continue to conduct the certifying exams. All data are collected in the aggregate for statistical purposes of identifying trends in eye disease and breed susceptibility; this happens whether owners submit a CAER exam form for certification of results. The aggregate information continues to be published in the AVCO Blue Book. Information on the Bearded Collie is found on pages 140-1 of the 2023 Blue Book. In the 2021 edition breeding advice was NO for both certain cataracts and Collie Eye Anomaly (CE. In the 2023 edition breeding advice of NO remains only for cataract. CEA was removed from the list likely because inheritance is autosomal recessive disorder and if one parent is CEA clear/normal, progeny will not be affected with CEA although some may be carriers.
- Heritable eye disorders
Disorder Inheritance Breeding Advice Genetic Test Available Distichiasis Not defined Breeder option No Corneal dystrophy Not defined Breeder option No Persistent pupillary membranes iris to iris Not defined Breeder option No Cataract Not defined NO No Y suture tip opacity Not defined No Retinal dysplasia – folds Not defined Breeder option No - Most common eye disorders in Beardies
- Heritable eye disorders
Diagnosis 1995-2018
Total # 4,1002019-2023
Total # 360# (%) # (%) Cataract, suspect not inherited/significance unknown 418 (10.2%) 40 (11.1%) Persistent pupillary membranes (PPM), iris to iris 169 (4.1%) 15 (4.2%) Retinal dysplasia, folds 52 (1.3%) 6 (1.7%) Punctate cataract, anterior cortex 62 (1.5%) 14 (3.9%) Corneal dystrophy 51 (1.3%) 5 (1.4%) Incipient cataract, anterior cortex 41 (1.0%) 3 (0.8%)
- List of disorders ineligible for CAER certificate
- OFA statistics for the Bearded Collie
- Rank – 86
- # Exams – 1032
- Normal – 94.6%
- Abnormal – 5.4%