Eyes - CAER

Poodles may have eye abnormalities which include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), optic nerve hypoplasia, distichiasis, micropapilla, and microphthalmia. PRA is considered hereditary, and some other eye abnormalities are presumed to be hereditary. Many of these abnormalities lead to blindness, although some can be corrected with surgery. For more information see: https://www.ofa.org/diseases/eye-certification/eye-disease-glossary.

The Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) exam is an eye screen performed by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist.

The CAER eye exam is performed after drops are placed in the eyes to dilate the pupils. The exam is not comprehensive, but rather intended to detect a number of eye defects presumed to be hereditary. If a serious ocular health problem such as glaucoma is suspected, the examiner will recommend a more comprehensive examination. The diagnoses obtained during the exam refer only to the observable phenotype (clinical appearance) of an animal. Thus it is possible for a clinically normal animal (normal phenotype) to have a genetic abnormality (abnormal genotype) that may result in a clinically detectable eye disorder later in life. For this reason it is important to repeat CAER exams on a regular schedule (yearly is recommended) for breeding animals, even after they are no longer being bred.

The CAER eye screen may be done at eight weeks.

The CAER eye screen is done by a Board Certified ophthalmologist at his office or at an eye clinic held in your area sponsored by a breed club.