Part 1: Inheritance, Age of onset, Progression Inheritance Age of onset Progression Microphthalmia likely autosomal recessive present at birth non-progressive Distichiasis highly likely (mode unknown) usually before 6 months of age new lashes emerge until approximately 2 years of age Entropion highly likely (mode unknown) usually 6-12 months of age may become more severe until one year of age Imperforate nasolacrimanl puncta highly likely (mode unknown) noticeable after 3-4 months of age usually none although amount of tearing may be variable Dry eye unknown usually after 5 years of age progressive without treatment Glaucoma highly likely (mode unknown) usually after 5 years of age progressive Cataract likely autosomal recessive usually after 5 years of age variably progressive Retinal dysplasia autosomal recessive present at birth non-progressive Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) autosomal recessive usually after 7 years of age progressive over 6-12 months
Part 2: Effect on vision, Effect on comfort,Treatment
|
| Effect on vision | Effect on comfort | Treatment |
| Microphthalmia | usually blind | usually non-painful | elective surgical removal of globe for cosmetic reasons |
| Distichiasis | vision is unaffected | minimal; occasionally excessive tearing | often none required, electroepilation can be used to remove lashes if tearing is excessive |
| Entropion | may result in secondary scarring of cornea | very painful due to eyelash contact with cornea | surgical correction of the eyelid is highly successful |
| Imperforate nasolacrimanl puncta | vision is unaffected | none although the moisture around the eyes may result in secondary skin irritation | surgical opening of puncta is highly successful |
| Dry eye | scarring of the cornea may result in blindness | painful due to dryness and secondary infections | medical treatment with twice daily eye drops is usually highly successful;rare cases require surgical treatment |
| Glaucoma | often ultimately results in blindness | painful even after vision is lost due to pressure elevation | medical and/or surgical treatment available; variable success |
| Cataract | variable depending on progression; often vision is not significantly impaired | may be associated with secondary glaucoma (see above); otherwise not painful | surgical lens extraction and replacement with artificial lens is highly successful |
| Retinal dysplasia | variable; animal affected with mild forms (folds) have relatively normal vision, severely affected animals often have retinal detachment and are blind | non-painful | no treatment is available |
| Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) | dim light vision is lost first, affected animals are ultimately blind | non-painful | no treatment is available |
By: Cynthia S. Cook, DVM, Ph.D
© 1991, Cynthia Cook, reprinted with permission
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