Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (also known as generalized progressive retinal atrophy or GPRA) describes an inherited disease of dogs that causes slowly progressive blindness over a period of months or years.

PRA can occur in almost any breed including Curly Coated Retrievers.
Diagnosis of PRA is usually made by examining the back of the eye with an ophthalmoscope to look for characteristic signs of retinal degeneration.
DNA testing is available for the Curly Coated Retriever and it is recommended that dogs and bitches which may be used for breeding are tested before being bred. The testing can identify affected dogs and can also identify carriers who will not develop PRA themselves but may pass the disease onto their offspring.