Hereditary Cataract (HC, HSF4-related) – Australian Shepherd

Hereditary Cataracts (HC) are defined as the clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts impair vision and, if progressive, may lead to total blindness because the lens normally focuses light on the retina to enable vision. Cataracts can develop in one eye or in both eyes due to the aging process, underlying diseases, injury or a genetic defect.

In the Australian Shepherd, a recessive mutation to the HSF4 gene is associated with HC.