My odyssey, or in this case eyedyssey, with Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis (GRPU) has come to an end. It all began back in 2018 when my brother’s littermate started having eye issues. Prior to this, we had never heard of this genetic inflammatory eye disease found in Golden Retrievers and breeds crossed with them. It includes a variety of clinical eye problems that accumulate over time and can result in vision loss. Early detection is difficult, and it is often missed in routine annual physicals by veterinarians. However, early detection and monitoring is the best defense in preserving vision in dogs with this disease. Therefore, it is important to have an eye exam by an ophthalmologist veterinarian. At the time, Mom and Dad were more concerned that Angel Chuck Billy could have it, since it tends to appear in dogs around 8 to 8.5 years old, and he was 6 at the time. However, it has been diagnosed in Goldens from as young as 4 to as old as 14. So at 3 years old, just shy of 4, I also went to see an ophthalmologist for an eye exam. It was at this appointment that I began my journey with Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis.
During that exam cysts were found in my eyes. However, at that time the cysts were noted, but not of concern. As the ophthalmologist veterinarian explained, iris cysts are common. They are benign, fluid filled cysts that form in Goldens. An iris cyst originates from the tissue on the back side of the iris, and then breaks loose and floats into the front chamber of the eye, behind the cornea and in front of the iris. These cysts typically do not adversely affect vision, and dogs can go about life and never have any problems. However, it did mean that I was at risk for developing Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis. Cysts can obstruct the flow of fluids in the eyes, making it possible for the cornea and the lens to stick together, and for pressure to build. As a precaution, I began using nightly eyedrops.
Every 4 to 6 months since that initial exam, I went for checkups with my ophthalmologist. Most exams were status quo, with the only changes being the occasional new cyst. The pressure in my eyes remained in the normal range, and there were no other symptoms. However in January 2022 the ophthalmologist detected that one of the cysts filled with blood, signifying inflammation in my left eye, and that the disease may be progressing. At that time, we were assured not to panic because the eye can potentially heal itself with the aid of additional medication. Which is exactly what happened, the eyedrops worked! A few months later when I returned for a follow up we received the good news that the blood-filled cyst deflated. The eye specialist noted there was slight scarring and adhesion in the left eye where that cyst once was located, as well as a small cataract in my right eye. But assured us that there were no signs that either were affecting my vision, and more importantly there was a lack of significant progression of GRPU. We were to stay the course with my eyedrops to keep the GRPU at bay. However, the longterm use of the steroid eyedrops can cause side effects. Corneal haze was developing in my eyes by December 2022. Thus began a delicate balancing act of treating the GRPU, while preventing damage from the treatment itself.
We thought we were on the right track, but my eyes had other plans. One afternoon in January 2023, blood was detected in my left iris. The brown part of the eye had turned a subtle maroon color, that was not visible that morning. As instructed by the ophthalmologist, I was immediately taken to the emergency room at the animal hospital. At that exam, the source for the blood could not be found, and possibilities ranged from a burst cyst, to a retinal tear from head trauma, to cancer. The ophthalmologist prescribed a new combination of eyedrops and oral medications, with the plan to be checked every two weeks. Again we thought we were on the right track, because by the first two week appointment the pressure in my eye had returned to well within the normal range, and I was showing no signs of discomfort. Yes, the blood remained, but it was felt that the medications were working.
However, by the followup on the fourth week, we received the news that the disease was winning in my left eye. As our eye specialist explained, GRPU usually leads to glaucoma. I decided to take a different route, that resulted in being in the early stages of a painful condition called Iris Bombe. My left eye was blind, and would need to be removed to avoid the pressure building causing excruciating pain. At that time though, the pressure was on the high end of normal, but not within the realm of concern, and I wasn’t displaying any signs of even the slightest discomfort. Therefore, the surgery was scheduled for three weeks later, to give us time to wrap our minds around the diagnosis that I was blind in one eye and it needed to be removed. That all changed the following day when on February 10, 2023, I awoke in excruciating pain, my bulging eye had turned a blue color, and required emergency enucleation surgery.
Based on the pathology report, the ophthalmologist said that the rapid progression of Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis was likely due to a “series of unfortunate events.” A cyst hemorrhage was likely caused by pressure building in the eye from leakage from the build up of fibrovascular membranes associated with GRPU. Combined they led to a blockage of the drain in the pupil, and the build up of fluids led to increased pressure in his eye causing the Iris Bombe. Or at least that’s what we gathered from our visit. I’m a dog, not a veterinarian.
However, what I did know was the clock was now ticking for my right eye. Between the early detection of glaucoma, and the possibility that, although rare, the Iris Bombe could occur in the other eye we knew we were in a race to try to prolong my vision for as long as possible. There were visits to more specialty animal hospitals to get second and third opinions, and everyone agreed that my case didn’t take the usual progression. Yet no one could predict what the future held for my right eye, and each recommended to stay the course of the current eye medications. There were also return trips to the ER to deal with more unexplained hemorrhaging in my eye. My ophthalmologist worked closely with my primary vet to see if they could determine an underlying cause unrelated to my eye. So off I went for a series of scans, bloodwork, and other tests, before it was eventually determined in April 2025 that I had high blood pressure! Trust me, getting an accurate blood pressure reading in a happy Golden, is a lot more difficult than it sounds. But once we dialed in the right dose of the blood pressure medicine, and adjusted my eyedrops, I was on the right course. The hemorrhaging not only stopped, but the old ones were healing, and the glaucoma was not progressing! We all breathed a sigh of relief!
That is until I developed a new health issue, one no one saw coming. In September 2025, I was diagnosed with Aspergillus, a relatively rare but aggressive nasal fungal infection. Initially the fungus only infected my left nasal cavity. The side my eye had already been removed. Although worried, we were optimistic my right eye would be alright. My eye doctor even explained how the nasal cavity and the eye were each self-contained, so the fungus could not enter my eye. An internal medicine veterinarian did the procedure that inserted a fungal cream into my left nasal cavity. However, due to the aggressive nature of Aspergillus, there were complications that resulted in excessive bleeding. Back to the eye doctor we went to see if those complications affected my right eye.
Despite the bleeding complications with my fungal infection nasal surgery, my eye was alright! Old hemorrhages were continuing to heal, and no new damage was detected. Best yet my Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis was not progressing, and the small cataract and glaucoma had not advanced. Once again we all breathed a sigh of relief. I was back to feeling better! Until I wasn’t. The fungal infection returned on the left side, and spread to the right nasal cavity. In November 2025, just days shy of my 11th birthday, I received the fungal cream treatment again, but due to unforeseen complications, my right eye was damaged. The fungal cream had leaked into a pocket behind my right eye, causing my eye to bulge with excruciating pressure. They were able to save my eye, but there was damage. Following that emergency procedure, I began experiencing short bouts of blindness. We had to take a wait and see approach as the swelling went down and things settled, to know just how bad it was damaged.
However, by March we received the amazing news that although damaged, it was damaged in the “best possible way!” The scarring was on the side of my eye, and therefore I no longer had peripheral vision. But the way it formed, it was not blocking my pupil, and instead was permanently holding it open so light could get in, making it possible for me to see! We all let out a big cheer! The eye doctor explained that this was more than he ever could have hoped for based on what he saw during those dark days in the ER last November. My optical nerve was not damaged! Although still in the early stages of glaucoma, and the cysts from the Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis could flare up at any time, I was stable. Best yet, my limited vision was not slowing me down!
Then the inevitable happened. One morning in April, I awoke blind. The risk of Iris Bombe had progressed to a “critical stage.” I wasn’t showing signs of pain, or even discomfort, but we knew the eye had to be removed before the pressure increased to unbearable levels like it did with my left eye. My right eye was removed one week later on April 30, 2026. My 8 year journey with Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis has come to an end. However, I feel blessed that thanks to my ophthalmologist, and team of doctors and vet techs, I was able to beat the odds and maintain my vision for as long as I did with this incurable genetic disease. I’m also grateful that my blindness came on gradually, as my vision slowly failed, making the transition to seeing with my heart easier. More importantly, I am forever grateful to my brother’s littermate for letting us know we should be tested for Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis. If it wasn’t for him, I may have gone blind a lot sooner, without warning.
I never intended when I went to that first eye exam in 2018 to become an unofficial spokesdog for Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis. However, by sharing my health journey I hope I have raised awareness to this relatively new disease that was first detected in the 1990s. There is no cure for Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis, but if detected early steps can be taken to slow the progression, and preserve the vision for as long as possible. Please note that all cases of GRPU are different. Mine was accelerated due to other health issues. For more information please visit, “Golden Retriever Uveitis—What Dog Owners Need to Know” (Veterinary Vision Center), “Diagnostic Criteria for Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis” (AKC Canine Health Foundation), and “In the Blink of an Eye – Understanding Pigmentary Uveitis in Golden Retrievers” (Morris Animal Foundation). It is our hope that by sharing my experience, we can help raise awareness about this genetic disease, and encourage Golden Retriever owners to have a discussion with their veterinarians.
I’m pretty sure Homer’s epic story, The Odyssey, was a lot shorter than my Eyedyssy shared here, and any resemblance of me to the cyclops in the original Greek tale is purely coincidental. For my friends who began this journey with me 8 years ago, and those who joined me along the way, thank you for all of your love and kindness through all my twists and turns with Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis. Now onward to begin the next chapter in my epic tale of seeing with my heart!
