Eye testing scheme BVA/KC/ISDS

The Routine Examination

For this test we ask you to arrive 30 minutes before your appointment. This is so we can administer dilating drops. These drops take between 20 – 30 minutes to work, and this enables the vet to see all the structures within the eye. While you are waiting one of our nurses will start completing your certificate, therefore you need to present the owners registration form as this is where we get all the information from, we will also stamp it on completion of the test (without this document we cannot issue your certificate). The test itself only takes a few minutes, and the vet will issue you the certificate, and tell you if your dog is affected ☹ or unaffected. Contrary to belief most hereditary eye diseases are not present at birth but appear in adult life, and for this reason it is recommended that breeding dogs are checked annually.

View a KC Owner Registration Certificate here.

 Please click HERE to view the BVA information sheet on primary glaucoma and the Gonioscopy grading table

 Breeds currently certified for goniodysgenesis under the Eye Scheme are as follows:

• Basset Hound (for POAG and goniodysgenesis)
• Border Collie
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier
• Hungarian Vizsla
• Japanese Shiba Inu
• Leonberger
• Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (POAG)
• Retriever (Flat Coated)
• Retriever (Golden)
• Shar Pei
• Siberian Husky
• Spaniel (American Cocker)
• Spaniel (Cocker)
• Spaniel (English Springer)
• Spaniel (Welsh Springer)
• Spanish Water Dog

How do I go about having my dogs examined?

Performing gonioscopy requires certain expertise and specialised equipment and it is for these reasons that gonioscopic examinations are not a routine part of the eye scheme and are not available from every member of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Panel. A list of the BVA/KC/ISDS eye panellists is available from the British Veterinary Association or The Kennel Club. However, when telephoning a panellist to book an appointment, owners of the breeds listed above, who wish to have gonioscopy performed should check whether this is available.

How is gonioscopy performed?

Gonioscopy is generally performed without dilating the pupil. After application of local anaesthetic drops to the eye, a special lens (goniolens) is placed on the surface of the cornea to enable the drainage angle to be examined. The test is then repeated on the other eye. Some dogs require sedation for the procedure to be carried out effectively. The fee for sedation is in addition to the cost of the test. The panellist who performs gonioscopy on your dog should be able to answer any questions that you may have about the findings. There is a set procedure for appealing against the results of an eye examination should you wish to do so and the panellist will supply the requisite leaflet, which is also available on the BVA Website entitled Information for Owners Leaflet. Appeals must be lodged in writing with the BVA within 30 days of the examination.

For more information please see BVA website under canine health scheme : Click Here

It is possible for litters to be tested for congenital hereditary conditions when they are 5 to 12 weeks old.

The procedure is the same as for the routine examination.

When organising and attending a litter screening, you will need to provide the following details:

• Owner details
• Parent details
• Number of puppies born
• Date of any previous examinations
• The microchip number of each puppy (all puppies being litter screened need to be microchipped before they are examined)

After the examination, you will receive a litter screening certificate with the results on. The results of litter screening of Kennel Club registered dogs will also be available on the Kennel Club database.

Some inherited eye diseases can be seen in puppies aged between 5 and 12 weeks old, view our Litter screening checklist to see which breeds should be screened at this age. 

View our litter screening document here.