Hereditary eye disease and the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

THE main purpose of the British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club/international Sheep Dog Society (BVA/KC/ISDS) Eye Scheme is to ensure that there is no evidence of hereditary eye disease in dogs which are used for breeding. In order to achieve this aim it is important not only that all dogs which are to be used for breeding are examined under the scheme, irrespective of whether there are known inherited eye problems within the breed, but that the scheme is kept under active review with regard to the inherited eye diseases and breeds which should be included. The conditions currently certified under the scheme are reviewed in this article. They comprise the congenital inherited conditions of goniodysgenesis/primary glaucoma, persistent pupillary membrane, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, retinal dysplasia, collie eye anomaly and congenital cataract, along with non‐congenital inherited types of cataract, primary lens luxation, generalised progressive retinal atrophy and central progressive retinal atrophy. For some of the congenital inherited problems, litters of puppies are screened to establish the status of the whole litter. For dogs of any age, individual certificates are issued with respect to the known inherited eye disease(s) for the breed under examination.