Inherited eye diseases are common in many pedigree dog breeds and cause significant visual impairment and chronic discomfort, much of which is preventable through health testing and responsible breeding practices.
Inherited eye diseases cause suffering ranging from the gradual loss of vision in PRA to the acute pain of inherited glaucoma. Dogs losing their sight through PRA may adapt well behaviourally, but the progressive nature of the condition and the anxiety of deteriorating vision represent welfare concerns. Glaucoma causes severe pain that may go unrecognised by owners unfamiliar with the signs. The availability of DNA tests for many inherited eye conditions means continued production of affected dogs represents preventable suffering through breeding choices.