Glaucoma
Message from Margaret Woods, our Breed Council Health Representative
“As most of you will know Glaucoma was added to the BVA/KC schedule of “Known Inherited Eye Disease” some time ago. This was done without consultation with our breed and before sufficient data had been collected. It is important that we gather sufficient evidence to either substantiate or refute whether we have a problem. I would urge you all to complete this simple survey in order to further our understanding.
Thank you"
Margaret Woods
Breed Health Coordinator
The online link is www.surveymonkey.com/r/MWXTGXC
GOLDEN RETRIEVER BREED COUNCIL
29 June 2019
Dear All
UPDATE ON GLAUCOMA (part1)
Since receiving verbal information from Sheila Crispin prior to our recent Breed Council meeting (15 May 2019) concerning Glaucoma moving to Schedule “A” I have, sadly, not been able to secure any official notification from the Kennel Club. After our meeting I tried to speak to Hannah James, whom I believed had attended the Eye Panelists’ Working Party meeting prior to our meeting. She was not available for a few days, but when I finally got to speak to her, she said it was not her, but Bill Lambert who had attended that meeting. I subsequently phoned Bill Lambert and he was totally taken aback and asked how I had got the information? He purported to have very little recollection of the discussions and said I would have to wait for the official minutes. I asked him if he took any notes? He said yes, but he couldn’t put his hands on them at present. He was so elusive; I began to think I had misunderstood Sheila and the information was to be kept confidential. I have since spoken to Sheila and she said this was nonsense and typical of the Kennel Club! She will stand by us and help in any way, but it is Peter Bedford who will lead this as he is chief panelist. I have again been in touch with Bill Lambert and told him categorially that Sheila Crispin had been open and honest and I, as Breed Health Coordinator, intended to seek as much information as possible and would not wait for an official Kennel Club notification, as I thought this was ludicrous. I intend to ask Peter Bedford for a meeting. I would also like sight of the data and information put forward at the EPWP meeting to substantiate moving Glaucoma for Golden Retrievers onto Schedule “A”. The other piece of shocking news (accidently slipped out from Bill Lambert) was that the Open Register for MRD is to be discontinued! We need to know several things, including the DATE these changes will be implemented, as Sheila said this had not been decided. So where is the cooperation and consultation we were promised after the MRD fiasco? It is ironic that it is Peter Bedford is Chief Panelist again!! (as he was when MRD happened). I will keep you posted,
MARGARET WOODS
Breed Health Coordinator
GOLDEN RETRIEVER BREED COUNCIL
03 June 2019
Hi Again!
UPDATE ON GLAUCOMA (part 2)
Bit better news this time! I have now spoken to Peter Bedford. He told me that the date has not yet been determined as the recommendations from the Eye Panel Working Party meeting would need to be ratified at a meeting of the full panel and that meeting was scheduled for the 18th June. He was very pleasant and said he would work with myself and the Breed Clubs to further investigate this dreadful condition. He added that this was only the start. There was a secondary Glaucoma associated with an inflammatory condition, Uveitis. (I raised some concern over this condition a few years ago following an article I read. Sheila Crispin, at that time said it was mainly in USA and not of great concern in UK). He is off on holiday for two weeks and I agreed to speak to him when he returned, after the 18th June. I have also spoken at length to Stuart Ellis, a panelist in the North whom I trust and respect. He told me the grading system would be in 4 categories: 0 – Normal 1 – Mildly Affected 2 – Moderately Affected 3 – Severely Affected. The advice would be to breed from 0 & 1; mate 2 to a 0; DO NOT BREED FROM grade 3 Stuart will not do gonioscopy in village halls, community centres, at shows or in fact anywhere where there are no clinical facilities. This is mainly due to hygiene but also in case sedation is necessary (I think he was meaning other breeds). I hope this brings a little clarity. I will keep you all posted. MARGARET WOODS
BREED HEALTH COORDINATOR
GOLDEN RETRIEVER BREED COUNCIL
01 July 2020
Dear All
Gonioscopy / Glaucoma Some of you will be aware that recent gonioscopy testing has resulted in many Facebook forums expressing concern on various aspects of the screening. In addition, there was some misunderstanding and some inaccurate advice. I have spoken at length to Prof Sheila Crispin and I have put together some information that you may find helpful. Please share this information with your committees and club members. I am currently addressing concerns from those breeders who have recently attended for gonioscopy screening, and have been in touch with me. These concerns are about:
a. Lens falling out during examination. b. Length of time (or lack of it!) taken. c. Variation of methods used. d. Inconsistency of advice offered. I hope to address these concerns in more detail once I have more facts. What I do know is:
An instrument that provides good magnification is required, most satisfactorily from a slit lamp or fundus camera. The three most commonly used lenses under the Eye Scheme are: o Barkan Lo-vac o Koeppe Lens o Volk Aspheric Lens (usually 20D strength) There are several types of lens, but only one is used throughout any particular session. Does one size fit all? The lenses used are those used in human ophthalmology; there are no canine specific lenses available. The latest BRS shows that in the 1st period of this year (January – March 2020) there were 120 Goldens examined for gonioscopy and out of those o 24 were grade 1 (28.8%) o 10 were grade 2 (12%) o 86 were clear
I feel we have to weigh up the facts and take a balanced view. We also need to take into account data produced for other breeds. Progression of Goniodysgenesis with age has been reported in several breeds; namely the Flat Coated Retriever, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Basset Hound and Leonberger, For example, Progression of pectinate ligament dysplasia over time in two populations of Flat-Coated Retrievers Link https://flatcoated-retriever-society.org/images/vop12098%201.pdf Angle closure/closed angle glaucoma, as we know, is an extremely painful and blinding condition and is very traumatic for all concerned. However, what we do not know is why some with poor drainage angles go on to develop glaucoma and some do not. It is believed, in other breeds to be inherited in a complex manner, with the possibility that a “controlling” gene prevents expression. The simple fact is WE REALLY DO NOT KNOW! When Professor Bedford offered to screen 500 Goldens in a project later named “The Golden Oldie” project, we all saw this as a positive way forward. What would have made sense would be to wait until we had more data before moving onto the inherited eye diseases listed under what was previously Schedule A, but that simply did not happen. Now we have a pandemic caused by Covid 19, a particularly nasty and life threatening virus, further hampering progress, it is understandable that many breeders are frustrated, upset and confused! I am currently looking into restarting the project, and possibly extending it, as soon as possible. Funding may be involved and I am looking at that too. I hope this goes some way to explain, in very broad, general terms the current situation. I have much more detailed information about procedures and historic papers, which I will forward in due course. There is an urgent need to address these problems and correspondence is the only vehicle in these sad times. Health seminars and presentations may be possible in due course, when we eventually get back to normal, but in the meantime I want to give constructive advice and help steer breeders in the right direction. I do hope you understand and your support is essential. Many thanks
Margaret Woods
BREED HEALTH COORDINATOR
GOLDEN RETRIEVER BREED COUNCIL
09 February 2021
Dear All,
Gonioscopy/Glaucoma UPDATE
As most of you will know, there was a “virtual” Breed Council Health Subcommittee meeting on
25 November and one of the topics discussed was Glaucoma. It was agreed that a letter would be sent to the Kennel Club requesting Glaucoma be removed from the KIOD register (Known Inherited Ocular Diseases) - previously Schedule “A”, and also that for Assured Breeders, gonioscopy would not be a REQUIREMENT, but a Recommendation. This letter would be sent to The Health Team / Bill Lambert at the Kennel Club and taken to be discussed at the next BVA Eye Panel Working Party meeting.
I can confirm that this indeed took place last month and Bill Lambert sent the enclosed reply to Christine.
Whilst I am disappointed at the response, I am not surprised. Gonioscopy is to remain on the KIOD register and, for ABS breeders will be a Requirement by the Kennel Club. Sadly, there was no response regarding proof of heritability or an explanation as to why the Breed Council / Clubs were not consulted or involved in the decision making.
On a brighter note, Prof Bedford telephoned me to confirm
1. He is very keen to restart the “Golden Oldies” project as soon as we can; and
2. He has written to his colleagues in referral and specialist centres and has had a good response. so far. I had requested him to do this as I felt a lot of vital information was held there but I was unable to access it. Invariably the sudden onset of Glaucoma results in immediate referral to
these specialists and this could explain why the panelists don’t see many cases. This data could prove crucial in understanding more about this serious, blinding condition.
Whilst I am disappointed, I am not dejected as I need to maintain a good working relationship with Peter Bedford and the Eye panelists.
I will keep you all updated and look forward to getting back on track soon.
Margaret
MARGARET WOODS
BREED HEALTH COORDINATOR