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Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS) causes blindness in 2,000 to 4,000 dogs each year and has a molecular profile that is similar to that of human autoimmune antibody-induced retinitis.  SARDS was first described in 1983; until recently, however, no successful treatment for SARDS had been demonstrated.  An ISU researcher has now developed a method for the treatment of SARDS using intravenous immunoglobulin administration and demonstrated recovery of vision in dogs that had been blinded by SARDS.  In addition, preliminary immunoglobulin intraocular application studies showed a good safety profile, while clinical efficacy studies are in progress.  Because of the similarity with human autoimmune antibody-induced retinopathies, this therapeutic strategy may also have potential for the treatment of humans with cancer-associated retinopathy and auto-immune (antibody-mediated) retinitis.

This is the first demonstration of a successful treatment modality for antibody mediated retinopathies (SARDS) in canine patients; there is also potential for expanding the application to include treatment of human patients.

Dogs subjected to the SARDS treatment have shown subsequent recovery of retinal electrical activity and visual awareness behavior, and ISU is seeking partners interested in commercializing this technology.

“Antibody-Mediated Retinopathies in Canine Patients: Mechanism, Diagnosis, and Treatment Modalities”, Sinisa D. Grozdanic, Matthew M. Harper, and Helga Kecova. In "Ophthalmic Immunology and Immune-Mediated Disease, an Issue of Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice" Vol. 38, Number 2 (2008) Edited by David L. Williams. Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences

Video:
·        Before treatment
·        After treatment