Papillons & Eye Problems

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) includes many types of retinal degeneration or arrested development. The retina contains light-sensitive cells known as rods and cones. Between the ages of 2 and 5, a papillon can suffer from night blindness as the rods deteriorate. Total blindness can occur within a year or so. A papillon inherits this eye problem from both parents.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• A dog's keen smell and hearing may compensate for any vision loss that goes undetected, according to the University of Prince Edward Island. Later onset PRA affects papillons older than 1 year old. PRA may show a variety of symptoms, according to the type and rate of progression. Sometimes a lens develops an opaque or cloudy appearance. Pupils dilate and reflect light from the back of the eye.

  Owners should observe changes in their dog's habits or personality. A papillon with night blindness may hesitate to walk through dark areas, yet have better vision in the day. Daytime vision later deteriorates.

  Electroretinography (ERG) can detect abnormal functions in the retina before clinical symptoms appear. The veterinarian can examine and measure electrical responses to light in the retina.

  No treatment for PRA exists as of 2010. While at home or exercising outdoors, a dog with diminished vision should have consistent surroundings and a regular exercise route. Owners should gradually introduce changes to their dogs.

Cataracts

• Cataracts disrupt the lens fibers or its capsule and cause the lens to turn opaque or lose transparency. According to Pet Education, causes can include heredity, infection, diabetes, metabolic disturbances, toxicity or trauma. Cataracts may occur in juveniles up to 4 years old or in adults.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• Cataracts may result in visual problems. The cataract can affect a small area of the lens or the whole lens. A dog with a small cataract in one eye can still maintain good vision. Cataracts in both eyes result in blindness.

  Owners should note any discoloration of the dog's pupils. The veterinarian can examine cataracts with an ophthalmoscope and determine if cataracts are secondary to another inherited disorder.

  Treatment can include surgical removal of the cataracts.

Nuclear Sclerosis

• Older dogs may show a bluish-graying at the nucleus or center of their lens. Not to be confused with cataracts, this normal condition known as nuclear sclerosis occurs in both eyes of dogs over 6 years old. As new fibers form in the lens, the older linear fibers compress in the nucleus. Light scatters and a loss of transparency result. Owners should check with the veterinarian to confirm that this condition is not more serious. The haziness at the nucleus does not cause significant vision difficulties.