Introduction

• The BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme is a joint scheme between the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Kennel Club (KC), and the International Sheepdog Society (ISDS).
• It was first set-up to help eradicate progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Retina: generalized progressive retinal atrophy Retina: central progressive retinal atrophy (CPRA) and Collie eye anomaly Collie eye anomaly (CEA) but now covers 11 inherited eye diseases in 59 breeds of dog.
• The aim of the Scheme is to examine dogs before breeding, and at regular intervals during their breeding lives, for evidence of inherited eye disease. Affected animals can be excluded from the breeding population, ultimately leading to a reduction in the prevalence of inherited eye disease within that particular breed.
• Any dog (pedigree or crossbreed) can be examined under the Eye Scheme.
• The BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme is the most popular inherited eye screening scheme in the UK and Ireland. Schemes in use in other parts of the world include those run by the ECVO (European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists) and the OFA Eye Certification Registry.
  Print off the owner factsheet BVA/KC/ISDS eye scheme BVA/KC/ISDS eye scheme to give to your client.

Inherited eye diseases

The eye examination

The Eye Certificate

Problem areas

DNA testing for inherited eye diseases in dogs

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• BVA Canine Health Schemes, Hereditary eye disease in dogs. (From: In Practice 1995, updated January 2008: https://inpractice.bmj.com/content/30/1/2.
• British Veterinary Association website, canine health schemes: http://www.bva.co.uk/Canine-Health-Schemes/Eye-scheme/.
• The Kennel Club: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/getting-started-with-health-testing-and-screening/eye-screening-scheme/.
• The International Sheepdog Society: https://www.isds.org.uk/breeding-registration/eye-testing/.