Summary: BCG is a genetic disease in Border Collies that presents as the buildup of excessive pressure in the eye, leading to pain and irritation as the disease progresses. This is an extremely painful disease, and can be treated for at least a period of time with eye drops. If left long enough without treatment or management, blindness and permanent eye damage can and will result. Sensitivity to light, pain or discomfort around the eyes/head, and red or dilated eyes can all be symptoms of the disease and vet care should be sought. Sudden cloudiness in the eye can be the presentation of sudden blindness due to lens luxation and veterinary care should be sought immediately.

This specific Border Collie Glaucoma is inherited and presents with congenital defects in the eyes.

Screening: A reliable method for diagnosing Glaucoma is through a gonioscopy performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. A gonioscopy allows the vet to see if there are deformities in the eye that will lead to glaucoma if the disease symptoms have not yet progressed. Genetic testing is available through a select number of labs. The DNA test is a marker test and has not yet been proven, but likely associated to the disease. Dogs testing at risk/affected should see a veterinary ophthalmologist and have a gonioscopy performed to assess risk of disease.

Inheritance: Thought to be recessive