PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) is an inherited eye disease found in many breeds of dogs with varying ages of onset (the age when symptoms are noted & the dog starts to have trouble seeing). The commonest form of the disease in cocker spaniels is GPRA (Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy), also known as prcd-PRA.

There are two forms of PRA found in cocker spaniels. General PRA (also known as prcd-PRA) where the entire retina is affected and CPRA (also known as Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy) where only the central vision of a dog is affected (and therefore the dog doesn't become blind even though there is some loss of accurate eyesight).

For more extensive information about canine eye disease please visit our "Hereditary and Acquired PRA" page.

Currently there are two testing schemes for GPRA. The traditional testing of KC/BVA Eye Examination and the DNA test undertaken by OptiGen.

For more information about OptiGen testing for prcd-PRA please visit our OptiGen page.

Another inherited eye disease found in cocker spaniels is Glaucoma. Glaucoma is the elevation of pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP) beyond a specific point at which vision is compromised or is no longer possible. Glaucoma is a frequent cause of blindness in humans and animals.

Inheritance of Glaucoma depends entirely on the severity of goniodysgenesis in both parents - a slightly affected dog mated to a clear dog will not produce puppies affected with Glaucoma. Gonioscopy is not routinely performed as part of the KC/BVA eye test; this test must be requested separately (& needs to be performed prior to the standard KC/BVA test.)

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