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Hereditary Eye Disease Scheme for dogs
The Eye Scheme is run in partnership with the BVA, the Kennel Club and the International Sheep Dog Society.
The Eye Scheme was established in 1966 as a means if identifying inherited and non-inherited eye conditions in dogs. It is a clinical eye examination carried out by expert veterinary surgeons. The Scheme is open to all dogs and breeds including crossbreeds and non-Kennel Club registered dogs.
What is hereditary eye disease?
There are many types of hereditary eye disease, both congenital (conditions that exist from birth or soon after birth) and non-congenital (conditions that develop later in life), that affect dogs. Many of these conditions can have serious effects on health and welfare, causing pain, blindness, or the need for lifelong medication, and should be taken into consideration when breeding dogs.
The scheme is open to all dogs and breeds including crossbreeds and non-Kennel Club registered dogs.
For more information please read our;
What are the signs?
The signs of eye disease vary depending on the specific condition and between individual dogs and breeds. Some visible signs may include:
- Redness
- Dilated pupil
- Discharge
- Cloudy appearance
It is important to check the eyes of older dogs and to discuss any concerns with your vet.
How to treat it?
Treatment will depend the disease itself. It is important to remember that even dogs with severe eye conditions usually adapt well to life with reduced vision.
If you have any queries, speak to your local vet.
CHS eye examinations
There are two types of inherited glaucoma, Primary Closed Angle Glaucoma (PCAG/PACG) and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). The examination for PCAG/PACG is called gonioscopy and if you wish to have this completed, please make the request when booking your appointment. Gonioscopy is not required for the diagnosis of POAG.
CHS offers litter screening for congenital hereditary conditions such as collie eye anomaly and multifocal retinal dysplasia, when the puppies are 5 to 12 weeks old.
DNA tests are available for some inherited diseases and their complimentary use with routine clinical examination gives you a complete overview your dogs’ eye health.
We currently screen for the following inherited eye diseases:
Congenital/Neonatal eye conditions (inherited conditions present at birth):
- (CEA) Collie eye anomaly
- (MRD) Multifocal retinal dysplasia
- (TRD) Total retinal dysplasia
- (CHC) Congenital hereditary cataract
- (PHPV) Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous
- (PLA) Pectinate ligament abnormality
Inherited conditions that develop later in life:
- (HC) Hereditary cataract
- (PLL) Primary lens luxation
- (POAG) Primary open angle glaucoma
- (PRA) Progressive retinal atrophy
- (RPED) Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy
Other eye conditions which may be identified during the examination include:
- Distichiasis
- Ectopic cilia
- Trichiasis
- Entropion
- Ectropion
- Combined entropion/ectropion
- Corneal lipid deposition
- Ocular Melanosis
- Persistent pupillary membrane
- Various lens conditions
- Various retinal conditions
- Optic nerve hypoplasia
- Multi-ocular defects
For vets
For breeders
For owners
Which breeds are commonly at risk?
All dogs, including crossbreeds are at risk of suffering from eye disease. Common breeds at risk are:
- Border Collie
- Cocker Spaniel
- English Springer Spaniel
- French Bulldog
- Golden Retriever
- Labradoodle
- Labrador Retriever
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pug
Many other breeds suffer from eye disease, visit the Kennel Club Breed Information Centre for further information.
Blogs and further reading
- Crossbreeds and non-breeding dogs can benefit too
- What exactly is the BVA KC ISDS Eye Examination Scheme?
- Why should we check the eyes of older dogs?
- As vets, we can influence responsible puppy buying decisions
- The importance of eye testing in brachycephalic breeds
- Working dogs and over eights help celebrate 50 years of the Eye Scheme
- CHS scrutineers honoured for outstanding contributions to the veterinary profession
Our scrutineers and panellists
To ensure the highest standards, expert veterinary surgeons appointed by BVA are responsible for scoring and grading all our hip, elbow and CM/SM submissions. All our eye panellists who perform the clinical examinations are specialists in ophthalmology.
Got a question about the scheme?
Visit our CHS help centre to see answers to frequently asked questions.
If you can't find your answer there, you can contact the CHS team via email: [email protected]