Sudden acquired retinal degeneration (SARD) is a disease in dogs causing sudden blindness. It can occur in any breed. The cause is unknown, but possibly involves either autoimmune disease, a toxin, or Cushing’s disease.[1] Symptoms include sudden permanent blindness, dilated pupils, and loss of the pupillary light reflex.
Examination with an ophthalmoscope will initially show no changes, but in months to years atrophy of the retina will resemble the appearance of progressive retinal atrophy. Pathologically, there is a loss of the rod and cone cells followed by degeneration of other layers of the retina. There is no treatment.
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