Progressive retinal degeneration (PRD), also known as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), refers to inherited eye diseases eventually resulting in blindness. And, as the name suggests, the condition impacts a part of your dog’s eye known as the retina. The retina is located at the rear of your dog’s eye, and it is comprised of specialized cells referred to as rods and cones which enable vision.  Different forms of progressive retinal degeneration or atrophy impact the retina’s components in various ways, but all cause loss of vision. Certain breeds are predisposed to developed progressive retinal degeneration. These breeds include  Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters and Labrador Retrievers.

Progressive retinal degeneration usually starts out as night blindness when your dog is a few years old. You may also sometimes notice that your dog's pupil(s) appear dilated. Over time, there is a progressive loss of vision usually leading to complete blindness.

Progressive retinal degeneration is an inherited disease. The mechanism of inheritance for different types of progressive retinal degeneration varies.

Your vet will suspect progressive retinal degeneration if you dog is vision impaired, and if your dog is a breed or a mix of a breed predisposed to this condition. To confirm the diagnosis, your vet will need to examine your dog’s retina.

There is no treatment for progressive retinal degeneration.

Since it is an inherited disease, dogs with a family history of progressive retinal degeneration should not be bred. The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) compiles a database of dogs who are certified by veterinary opthamologists as free of inherited eye diseases. Before acquiring any dog, you should check the CERF database to make sure your dog’s parents are listed as free of inherited eye disease.

No, humans cannot contract progressive retinal atrophy from affected dogs.