Macular Corneal Dystrophy

Body function:

Eyes

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Macular corneal dystrophy is a progressive eye disease caused by a mutation in the CHST6 gene, most commonly affecting Labrador Retrievers. This congenital disorder causes an accumulation of the carbohydrate glycosaminoglycans on the eye's surface, ultimately damaging vision.

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List of affected breeds:

Genetic research has linked this gene and condition in the following breeds:

Labrador Retriever

A brown and white dog with floppy ears is looking up at the camera with a big smile and its tongue hanging out.

What does this mean for a dog with this trait?

There is no known treatment for canine macular corneal dystrophy. Dogs with the condition may be supported by eliminating hazards and leashing in unfamiliar environments.

Symptoms

Signs of macular corneal dystrophy typically appear around middle age, between 4 and 6 years old. Dogs begin to show clouding of the surface of the eye with white and gray spots. This is typically accompanied by signs of vision loss, like increased hesitation and clumsiness.

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