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BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

The Eye Scheme is run in conjunction with the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Kennel Club (KC) and the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS).

The Scheme is based on a clinical eye examination and is a means of identifying inherited and non-inherited eye conditions in dogs. Eye examinations are carried out by expert veterinary surgeons who are members of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Panel. The results of the examinations should then be used to inform breeding programmes.

As some inherited diseases of the eye have a variable age of onset, more than one examination under the Eye Scheme may be recommended. All dogs of 8 years and older that have been bred from should also be re-examined under the Eye Scheme in order to identify later onset inherited eye disease and to gather longitudinal information.

The Eye Scheme may also be used as an annual eye check-up for dogs that are not used in breeding.

Examinations under the Eye Scheme are undertaken by expert veterinary surgeons, otherwise known as Panellists, appointed by BVA. The examination is a means of identifying inherited and non-inherited eye conditions in dogs. The Scheme aims to ensure that there is no clinical evidence of hereditary eye disease in dogs that are to be used for breeding.

Download the leaflet on hereditary eye disease in dogs for more information on the conditions and the scheme.

The conditions currently screened for under the Eye Scheme are:

Congenital and early onset eye disease

Condition exists from birth or soon after birth.

  • Collie eye anomaly
  • Multifocal retinal dysplasia
  • Total retinal dysplasia
  • Congenital hereditary cataract
  • Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous

Non-Congenital eye disease

Condition develops later in life.

  • Hereditary cataract
  • Primary lens luxation
  • Primary open angle glaucoma
  • Generalised progressive retinal atrophy
  • Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy
  • Breed-specific retinopathy

Schedule A (406 KB PDF) lists the breeds known to suffer from one or more of the inherited eye diseases the Eye Scheme examines for.

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