Retinoschisis

The retina is the back surface of the eyeball, which contains cells that react to light and collect visual information to be sent to the brain. Retinoschisis occurs when the layers of the retina separate or split due to saclike blisters or cysts. Retinal separation occurring between retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the sensory retina (neuroretina) leads to loss of function and secondary retinal degeneration and total or partial vision loss.

In some cases, opacities of the lens may occur and this may be easily mistaken for cataracts or glaucoma. Diagnosis of retinoschisis can be difficult since it resembles retinal detachment. It can be detected by ultrasound ocular test.

Currently, there are no medical or surgical treatments available for retinoschisis. University of Florida scientists used a healthy human gene to prevent blindness in mice with retinoschisis. Gene therapy can prevent retinoschisis, and therapy apparently demonstrates that even if disease has begun, there is a healing that takes place.³

Recently gene therapy has been successfully used to deliver a normal gene into the retinal pigment cells of blind dogs with an inherited retinal degenerative disease. This procedure has enabled the dogs to see. Clinical trials are planned within the next two years. This discovery brings hope that gene therapy can be used to prevent and perhaps cure macular degeneration.⁴

References

1. Charles L., DVM, MS, DACVO Martin. Ophthalmic Disease in Veterinary Medicine
2. University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. Retinoschisis
3. University of Florida (2005, August 16). Gene Therapy Works In Mice To Prevent Blindness That Strikes Boys. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 27, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2005/08/050814170130.htm
4. Macular Degeneration 101. Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy. (http://www.mvrf.org/md101/researchupdate.html)

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Canine Eye Diseases and Vision Disorders