Collie eye anomaly (CEA)

What is ... ?: 

 CEA is a disorder of the deep structures of the eye that affects collie breeds around the world. The four main changes are:

  • inadequate development of the choroid, a thin layer of blood vessels that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the retina (called hypoplasia of the choroid or chorioretinal dysplasia);
  • coloboma - a cleft or defect of the optic disc or adjacent areas;
  • staphyloma - an area of thinning in the sclera which is adjacent to the choroid; and
  • retinal detachment with or without haemorrhage - a complication associated with the other defects.

In its mildest form, there are minor changes in the choroid which will have little effect on sight. About 25 per cent of dogs with CEA have colobomas/staphylomas as well as choroidal hypoplasia. Retinal detachments occur in approximately seven per cent of dogs with CEA. Total retinal detachment will cause blindness.

How is ... inherited?: 

Inheritance is autosomal recessive with variable expression and pleomorphism (meaning that there is a wide range in clinical expression of the defect).

What does ... mean to your dog & you?: 

 Many dogs will have apparently normal vision unless retinal detachment with or without haemorrhage occurs, causing blindness in the affected eye. Retinal detachments are often one-sided and generally occur before 2 years of age.

How is ... diagnosed?: 

 Your veterinarian will be able to see the abnormalities in the back of the eye with an ophthalmoscope.

How is ... treated?: 

 There is no treatment.

For the veterinarian: 

 

  1.      Choroidal hypoplasia - appears as an area lateral (temporal) to the optic disc with reduction or absence of pigment so that the underlying choroidal vasculature is seen; the choroidal vessels may be reduced in number and of abnormal shape; may see underlying white sclera. Once the retina changes to its adult colour (about 3 months of ages), the normal pigment in the retina may mask the changes in the choroid (so-called "go normal")
  2.      Coloboma - appears as an excavation of the optic disc surface and sometimes adjacent ocular fundus
  3.      Retinal complications - detachment with or without haemorrhage
Breeding advice: 

 Minor lesions may not be detectable by ophthalmoscope after 3 months of age, so collies intended for breeding programmes should be examined early at 5-6 weeks of age. Even dogs with minor lesions (mild choroidal hypoplasia) should not be bred because their offspring may be affected with more serious forms of the disorder.

Because of the potential for serious eye disease with this trait, neither affected dogs, their parents, or their offspring should be used for breeding. Siblings of affected dogs should not be used either, unless eye exams before 3 months of age demonstrate that they are unaffected.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.

Resources: 

 Gelatt, K.N. 1991. Veterinary Ophthalmology. p. 473-477. Lea and Febiger.


What breeds are affected by ... ?
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