Disease overview

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a condition that causes pressure to build up in the eye as a result of a genetic mutation. The increased pressure of glaucoma leads to eye pain and vision loss. The genetic defect that causes POAG prevents the normal release of fluids in a dog's eyes, and as intraocular pressure increases, it can lead to retinal ganglia cell death. These nerve cells receive visual information from the retina and transfer it through the optic nerve to the brain.

Gene name

ADAMTS17

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Signs and symptoms

This form of glaucoma is adult-onset. Signs may appear suddenly and dramatically. The affected eye may have dilated pupils and enlarged vessels. An affected dog may present with aversion to bright light, head shaking, or pawing of the eyes.

How is it diagnosed

A thorough veterinary ophthalmic exam can be performed to measure the intraocular pressure of the eye. Genetic testing assists veterinarians with diagnosis and helps breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.

Breeds at higher risk

Basset Fauve de Bretagne, Basset Hound, Chinese Shar Pei

Citations

Oliver JA, Forman OP, Pettitt L, Mellersh CS. Two Independent Mutations in ADAMTS17 Are Associated with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in the Basset Hound and Basset Fauve de Bretagne Breeds of Dog. PLoS One. 2015 Oct 16;10(10):e0140436. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140436. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0156192. PMID: 26474315; PMCID: PMC4608710.

Forman OP, Pettitt L, Komáromy AM, Bedford P, Mellersh C. A Novel Genome-Wide Association Study Approach Using Genotyping by Exome Sequencing Leads to the Identification of a Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Associated Inversion Disrupting ADAMTS17. PLoS One. 2015 Dec 18;10(12):e0143546. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143546. PMID: 26683476; PMCID: PMC4684296.

Oliver JAC, Rustidge S, Pettitt L, Jenkins CA, Farias FHG, Giuliano EA, Mellersh CS. Evaluation of ADAMTS17 in Chinese Shar-Pei with primary open-angle glaucoma, primary lens luxation, or both. Am J Vet Res. 2018 Jan;79(1):98-106. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.79.1.98. PMID: 29287154.

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.