Disease Description: A developmental disorder resulting in an abnormal retina, carried by a recessive gene.

Inherit Mode: -

Disease Symptom: The retina is a layer of sensory tissue that is attached to the tissue in the back of the eye. The retina receives light. stimuli from the environment and converts it to an electric signal that is sent to the brain via the optic nerve, which. lies behind the retina. The brain interprets this signal and vision occurs. Any alterations in the retinal tissue can. impair vision. The retinal tissue undergoes changes until the eye is fully developed at the age of one year. Dysplasia is defined as abnormal growth or development. Retinal dysplasia forms when the 2 developmental layers of. the retina do not unite properly. It can involve both eyes or one, but the inherited form is almost always bilateral. It can occur anytime during eye development, from pregnancy to one year of age.

Disease Cause: Retinal dysplasia is not a progressive disease, but it will continue to develop until the retinas are mature at around. one year of age. To allow the retinas time to mature, the earliest age for a CERF screening for this disease is 6 months, yet closer to one year is recommended by Dr. Kirk Gelatt at which time a definite diagnosis can be. established. If you suspect one of your puppies has visual impairment, seek an ophthalmology exam immediately. Signs would include frequently bumping into objects, less activity, and possibly timid or fearful.

Disease Diagnose: There is no treatment for this disease. The best we can do is to strive to prevent it. The literature recommends that dogs affected with either of the 2 more serious forms of dysplasia ( geographic or complete ) should not be bred,as well as their parents and their littermates. The genetic relationship between retinal folds and the other 2 forms of dysplasia is unknown at this time. Some ophthalmologists suggest that a mature dog with persistent retinal foldsmay produce more severe forms of the disease in their offspring, secondary to the dog being a carrier of the gene for the more severe forms of dysplasia. What appear to be folds on exam can sometimes be dysplasia, so a maturedog with folds or dysplasia should not pass a CERF exam. In addition, one may wonder if retinal dysplasia could playa role in the incidence of retinal detachments that occur after bichon cataract surgery. According to Dr. Kirk Gelatt,post-operative detachments are primarily related to cataract maturity and the secondary lens-induced inflammation,rather than retinal dysplasia

Treat Method: -

Breeder Advice: As responsible bichon frise breeders, we need to be aware of retinal dysplasia and stop the progression of this disease in our breed while the incidence is low. We can accomplish this by completing the initial CERF exam near the age of one year and not breeding bichons with persistent retinal folds or retinal dysplasia. In the past, some bichon breeders were advised that there is no reason to CERF until the age of 2 years, since the age of onset of the bichon cataract is 1.5-2 years. Dr. Gelatt feels that although this disease is limited in bichons and seldom impairs vision, an affected bichon and its parents should not be used for breeding. He also states; "There is no reason to CERF before six months to one year unless you suspect vision problems." Besides, knowing that your bichon has retinal dysplasia would be beneficial before spending the time and money to complete its championship. Since the Health and Education Committee feels that this disease deserves vigilance, we will keep you informed on recommendations for screening for retinal folds and dysplasia. We also encourage you to share data with our committee, which will remain confidential, so that we can be aware of current trends in health problems in bichons.

Disease Description Source: Link