Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an inherited form of blindness in dogs that occurs in two forms: generalized PRA and central PRA. Generalized PRA is primarily a photoreceptor disease and is the form found in Tibetan Spaniels. The clinical signs have been observed between 1½ and 4 years, but as late at seven years.

What are the signs to look for?
The earliest clinical sign is "night blindness." The dog cannot see well in a dimly lit room or at dusk. The dog will show a reluctance to move from a lighted area into darker surroundings. The night blindness develops progressively into complete blindness.

How can you know for sure your dog is affected with PRA?
The only way to be sure is to have your dogs eyes examined by a Veterinarian who specializes in Ophthalmology. Once examined and found to be clear from PRA, the dog is registered (in the United States) with CERF - Canine Eye Registration Foundation.

Is the CERF registration good for life?
No, CERF registration is good for twelve months from the examination date. It does not indicate whether or not the dog carries the PRA gene.

Is there any treatment?
No, this condition is hereditary and if your dog carries the genes for PRA, it will develop PRA.

What effect will it have on your dog?
Even though your dog will become completely blind, the condition is painless. Many dogs adjust to their loss of sight and do just fine in their own surroundings.

How is PRA inherited?
PRA is inherited as a simple autosomal recessive gene. The dog must inherit this recessive gene from both parents. If it receives the gene from only one parent, it will not be affected. However, it will be known as a carrier as it can pass this gene on to its own progeny.

How do you prevent PRA?
It is extremely important for anyone considering to breed their dog to have its eyes certified. If the dog is positive for PRA, it should not be bred. The testing should be done on an annual basis. By identifying the affected dogs, it is easier to identify the carriers.

The International Tibetan Spaniel Working Party (ITSWP) maintains a database on various health tests for Tibetan Spaniels:

• PRA Cases & Carriers
• PRA Clear Test Results

"Weeping Eyes" is one of those symptoms that can be the result of any number of different causes. Some tearing in Tibbies is attributable the natural configuration of the face. What apparently happens is the fullness of the face may push the facial hair against the eyes, irritate then and cause tearing. Some of the tears drain away through the nose (as they are supposed to do) but when there are a few too many tears, there's no place for them to go except to overflow those tight lower lids onto the face. Facial hair also sometimes acts like a "wick" to draw the tears onto the face. In most cases this really isn't anything to worry about with no consequence other than cosmetic.

Another cause of weeping eyes is allergies, often to dusts and pollens. The discharge is usually watery, and when you pull down the lower eyelids, the insides are quite inflamed and red. Sometimes there is sneezing as well.

Another is irritation, such as from dirt or sand. The weeping is just from the particles getting into the eye and rubbing on the tissues.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is also another possibility.

NOTE: If there is ever any question, you should have your pet examined by your vet or a veterinary ophthalmologist.

"Cherry Eye" is actually a prolapsed third eyelid. What happens is that the eyelid becomes "loose" allowing one of the tear glands to protrude. Tacking is the recommended procedure that should only be done by a qualified vet or a veterinary ophthalmologist.