Microphthalmia (Discovered in the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier)

Puppies affected with this congenital eye disease suffer from bilateral microphthalmia (small and underdeveloped eyes) and blindness. Affected puppies may also have notch-like halos (coloboma) in their retina and choroidal hypoplasia. In milder forms of the disease, puppies are neither blind nor exhibit microphthalmia, but have coloboma and choroidal hypoplasia.

Owners may find that it is helpful to keep the dog's main environment as stable as possible (avoid moving furniture, etc.) to help them navigate. Owners should be advised that their dog may need assistance in unfamiliar surroundings.

There are many responsibilities to consider when breeding dogs. Regardless of test results it is important that your dog is in good general health and that you are in a position to care for the puppies if new responsible owners are not found. For first time or novice breeders, advice can be found at most kennel club websites.

This disease is autosomal recessive meaning that two copies of the mutation are needed for disease signs to develop. A carrier dog with one copy of the Microphthalmia mutation can be safely bred with a clear dog with no copies of the Microphthalmia mutation. About half of the puppies will have one copy (carriers) and half will have no copies of the Microphthalmia mutation. Puppies in a litter which is expected to contain carriers should be tested prior to breeding. Carrier to carrier matings are not advised as the resulting litter may contain affected puppies. Please note: It is possible that disease signs similar to the ones caused by the Microphthalmia mutation could develop due to a different genetic or clinical cause.