Antioxidant supplementation increases retinal responses and decreases refractive error changes in dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Ophthalmology
• Nutritional Science
• Canine Health

Background:

• Canine eyes, like human eyes, experience age-related functional decline.
• Nutritional antioxidants play a role in cellular health and may mitigate oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of nutritional antioxidant supplementation on visual function in healthy dogs.
• To assess changes in retinal function and refractive error using electroretinography and autorefraction.

Main Methods:

• Twelve Beagles (6-8 years old) were assigned to a 6-month feeding regimen with or without daily antioxidant supplementation.
• Portable mini-Ganzfeld electroretinography (ERG) and a hand-held autorefractor were used for assessments.
• Measurements were taken at baseline and after the 6-month supplementation period.

Main Results:

• Antioxidant supplementation significantly improved electroretinography (ERG) a-wave and b-wave amplitudes.
• Significant enhancements were observed in scotopic and photopic ERG responses.
• The supplemented group showed significantly less change in refractive error compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• Nutritional antioxidant supplementation can improve and preserve visual function in dogs.
• Supplementation may be beneficial for long-term maintenance of canine eye health, counteracting age-related decline.