Retinal Detachment in Dogs

Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina, the innermost tunic layer of the back of the eye, from the underlying pigmented epithelium and choroid. The choroid is the darkly colored, vascular layer that furnishes nutrition to the retina. Retinal detachment in dogs occurs most often from the accumulation of fluid under the retina, due to some pathologic process either in the eye or somewhere else in the body. Therefore, in most dogs, the presence of a retinal detachment is often a sign of a serious underlying disease. The underlying disease may be more of a threat to the health of the dog than the actual detachment.

Retinal detachments can occur in one or both eyes. The age of onset varies widely and depends upon the underlying cause or ocular problem.

Congenital Causes

It is uncommon for dogs to be born with retinal detachments, but sometimes detachments can develop in the first few months of life.