Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), also known as progressive rod and cone degeneration (PRCD), refers to a group of degenerative eye disorders that eventually lead to permanent blindness in both eyes. The retina is a delicate, thin membrane lining the back of the eyes. It is responsible for absorbing and reflecting light. When the retina is damaged or diseased, it loses its ability to perceive light. PRA targets the retinal photoreceptors, which are crucial to
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA, also called retinal degeneration) refers to a group of inherited, noninflammatory, and non-painful diseases of the retina that lead to blindness. PRA must be distinguished from sudden acquired retinal degeneration (SARD), which typically affects older dogs, especially females.Common clinical signs of PRA include night blindness followed by progressive loss of vision in bright light. Cataracts can also occur. PRA always progresses to complete blindness. However, the progression is often slow enough
The signs of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) can appear early or later in life and can be slow or sudden in onset. The dog’s familiarity with its environment often delays diagnosis, because its vision impairment can be quite difficult to detect.Usually, the first sign of progressive retinal atrophy is night blindness, including a reluctance to go outside at night or to navigate unfamiliar areas in dimness or darkness. Other signs can include:Early-onset, slowly progressive PRA
PRA is diagnosed through extensive eye examinations. In many cases, general practice veterinarians will refer the owner to a specialized veterinary ophthalmologist to perform the diagnostic tests and arrive at a diagnosis.Routine eye examination can suggest the presence of progressive retinal atrophy. A definitive diagnosis typically is made by a veterinary eye specialist using an electroretinogram (ERG) to measure the retina’s ability to respond to light. During this examination, one electrode is placed on the