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Progressive retinal atrophy in the Abyssinian cat. Electron microscopy.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|November 1, 1986
Summary
Progressive retinal atrophy in Abyssinian cats causes degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors. This inherited eye disease affects the retina, leading to vision loss in affected felines.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Abyssinian cats are predisposed to a recessively inherited retinal degenerative disease.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) affects photoreceptor cells in the retina.
Purpose of the Study:
- To ultrastructurally investigate the progression of retinal degeneration in Abyssinian cats with PRA.
- To characterize the cellular changes in rods and cones during different stages of the disease.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural examination of retinal tissues from seven Abyssinian cats at various disease stages.
- Comparative analysis of retinal changes in peripheral and central regions, and tapetal and non-tapetal fundus.
Main Results:
- Early stages showed disorganized discs in rod outer segments, with cones initially unaffected.
- Disease progression led to advanced lesions in both rods and cones, most severe in the mid-periphery.
- Advanced stages resulted in photoreceptor loss, with intact pigment epithelium, tapetal cells, and choriocapillaris.
Conclusions:
- PRA in Abyssinian cats is characterized by progressive degeneration of both rods and cones.
- The pigment epithelium and underlying vascular layers remain intact, suggesting a primary photoreceptor defect.
- Inner retinal changes are secondary to photoreceptor loss.