Glaucoma

What is primary glaucoma ?

This is a condition where there is a high pressure build up inside the eye. It is very painful for the dog – and there is often loss of the eye(s)

What causes primary glaucoma ?

The most common cause of primary glaucoma in the vizsla is Pectinate Ligament Abnormality (PLA). The condition used to be known as Goniodysgenesis. PLA is an inherited defect where the drainage angle is faulty leading to a failure of normal drainage of fluid

Can PLA be detected ?

Yes – the condition is detected by Gonioscopy – an examination of the drainage angle with a special lens (goniolens)  Gonioscopy is a procedure separate from routine eye examination.The risk of an individual  developing primary glaucoma can be predicted by the degree of abnormality of the drainage angle.This is graded from 0 to 3 – with 0 being unaffected and 3 being severely affected.

Is PLA hereditary ?

Yes. Not all dogs with PLA will develop glaucoma but affected dogs should not be bred from.The BVA /KC give advice on how to use the scoring system to better inform breeding decisions. Generally a dog with a PLA score of 2 or more should be discounted for breeding purposes

Find a Dog’s PLA Results

From the start of 2020 the KC has included PLA (Pectinate Ligament Abnormality) in its Health Test Results for Hungarian Vizslas. These are published in the quarterly Breed Record Supplement and can be checked here

Breeding

Health screening under the KC/BVA Hip/Elbow/Eye schemes, BEFORE mating, is mandatory for Hungarian Vizsla Club members. The Hungarian Vizsla Society has a similar code of conduct. The Kennel Club requires the same tests for membership of its Approved Breeder Scheme