Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER)

What is the Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER)?

The Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) aims to eliminate heritable eye diseases in purebred dogs through registration and research. Administered by the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), CAER maintains a national registry of eye certifications issued by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists. This initiative is essential for promoting healthier breeding practices and reducing the incidence of eye diseases in all purebred dogs.

The primary purpose of CAER is to equip breeders with valuable information about canine eye diseases, enabling them to make informed decisions that contribute to healthier dog populations. Certifications are performed by veterinary ophthalmologists accredited by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). Even if owners do not submit their CAER exam forms for certification, all exam data is collected for statistical purposes to track trends in eye diseases and breed susceptibility. This information is beneficial for veterinarians, ophthalmology students, breed clubs, individual breeders, and dog owners.

How Does CAER Function?

After a painless eye examination, the ACVO Diplomate completes the CAER form and notes any specific diseases identified. Breeding recommendations are provided based on guidelines established by the ACVO Genetics Committee for that breed. It’s important to note that while CAER and ACVO operate independently, they collaborate closely to ensure uniform certification standards for dog eye health.

If a dog is certified free of heritable eye diseases, the owner can submit the completed CAER form to OFA along with the appropriate fee. Required information includes the dog’s registration number, owner’s contact details, registered name, date of birth, sex, breed/variety, and any permanent identification (such as a microchip or tattoo). The certification is valid for 12 months, after which the dog must be reexamined and recertified to maintain its CAER registration.

Regardless of the exam outcome, all information is recorded for statistical analysis to monitor breed-specific trends and disease susceptibility. This data will not be published on the OFA website and does not result in a certification number unless the owner submits the form to OFA.

Benefits of CAER for Breeders and Pet Owners

CAER, in collaboration with OFA, offers several resources for breeders and dog owners, including:

• A registry of purebred dogs certified free of heritable eye diseases.
• Membership benefits, which may include the CAER Newsletter and access to various registration and research reports on canine ophthalmology topics.
• Periodic reports on the prevalence of eye diseases in specific breeds, including insights from the Veterinary Medical Data Base (VMDB), which gathers data from 24 veterinary colleges across the U.S. and Canada.
• A centralized source for answering questions such as, “Is there an ACVO Diplomate near me?” or “Are there resources available to help me understand my dog’s eye condition?”

By participating in CAER, breeders and pet owners can contribute to the overall health of their dogs and the breed as a whole.