Eye Diseases

Fortunately, Cavaliers are not prone to many serious inherited eye conditions that cause progressive vision loss. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) publishes a “Blue Book” of eye disorders that are presumed or known to be inherited in purebred dogs. Below are some of the diseases mentioned for Cavaliers.

Eye Diseases

Fortunately, Cavaliers are not prone to many serious inherited eye conditions that cause progressive vision loss. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) publishes a “Blue Book” of eye disorders that are presumed or known to be inherited in purebred dogs. Below are some of the diseases mentioned for Cavaliers

• Microphthalmia: A congenital defect characterized by a small eye often associated with other ocular malformations, such as cataracts.
• Distichiasis: Eyelashes abnormally located on the eyelid margin which may cause ocular irritation.

• Corneal dystrophy – epithelial/stromal: A non-inflammatory corneal opacity (white to gray) present in one or more of the corneal layers; usually inherited and bilateral. These are also referred to as “lipid deposits.”

• Exposure/pigmentary keratitis: A condition characterized by variable degrees of superficial vascularization, fibrosis and/or pigmentation of the cornea. This often appears as brown spotting on the dog’s eye.

• Cataract: A partial or complete opacity (cloudiness) of the lens and/or its capsule. In cases where cataracts are complete and affect both eyes, blindness results. In Cavaliers, cataracts diagnosed at a young age (< 6 months) are known as “juvenile cataracts” and are associated with rapid progression and complete blindness.

• Retinal dysplasia: An irregularly shaped area of retinal development. In Cavalier puppies, we often see retinal folds, which usually resolve/disappear by 1 year of age.

More Information:

• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA): https://ofa.org/diseases/eye-disease/
• American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO): https://www.acvo.org/