Microphthalmia

Microphthalmia means the eye(s) started to form during pregnancy but for some reason stopped, leaving the puppy with small eyes. Sometimes, the Microphthalmia condition occurs with coloboma, a structural eye defect when part of the eye does not develop. There is no cure for microphthalmia or coloboma.

These conditions can affect one or both eyes. Eye affected by microphthalmia can have a very reduced level of vision. With coloboma the visual impairment is variable. When one eye is absent the other eye may be completely normal with good sight, or abnormally developed with poor vision. Male dogs are reported to have this condition more often than female dogs.

The causes of microphthalmia are considered to be either genetic or environmental, such as toxic substances or diseases (toxoplasmosis or other viral or bacterial infections). They can affect the mother during early pregnancy and damage the fetus.