Disease overview

Retinal dysplasia is an eye condition that leads to vision loss and retinal detachment. This is an early-onset disease that is present at birth.

Gene name

NDP

Inheritance

X-linked recessive

Signs and symptoms

Affected dogs present with signs typical of vision loss. These include changes in behavior, such as reluctance to go down stairs or into a dark room, or bumping into door frames and furniture. There may be signs of change in the tapetum, the reflective surface of the eye. This is an early-onset disease that is present at birth.

How is it diagnosed

Thorough examination of the eyes and clinical signs. A veterinary ophthalmologic exam can determine if there are changes in the eye have or will lead to vision loss. Genetic testing assists veterinarians with diagnosis and helps breeders identify presence of gene mutation among breeding stock.

Breeds at higher risk

Citations

Joyce H, Burmeister LM, Wright H, Fleming L, Oliver JAC, Mellersh C. Identification of a variant in NDP associated with X-linked retinal dysplasia in the English cocker spaniel dog. PLoS One. 2021 May 4;16(5):e0251071. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251071. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2022 Jul 28;17(7):e0272477. PMID: 33945575; PMCID: PMC8096109.

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.