For Immediate Release Contact: Michelle Barlak (973) 539-4425 mbarlak@seeingeye.org April 6, 2011 The Seeing Eye Ensures Canine Visual Health with Computerized Electroretinography Guide Dog School Is First to Install State of the Art Retinal Assessment Equipment MORRISTOWN, N.J.—A Seeing Eye® dog becomes the eyes of its owner. To ensure those eyes are healthy, The Seeing Eye has become the first guide dog school in the nation to employ a new generation digital electroretinograph that has been custom-designed to check the retinas of all dogs in the school’s breeding program. The electroretinograph (ERG) measures the retina’s response to light. In 1992, The Seeing Eye became the first guide dog school to employ electroretinography as a means of screening for retinal disease. >From then until recently, responses appeared on an older model analog oscilloscope on which was hung a specialized instant film camera which recorded the ERG tracings. Measurements were painstakingly made by placing an acetate grid over the photos and measuring via magnifying glass to the nearest 0.3 mm. A laptop and customized software, purchased through a grant from the Bernice Barbour Foundation and designed and assembled with the assistance of a University of Pennsylvania team, is the 21st century answer to the oscilloscope. “The old equipment was becoming outdated, but the final straw was the discontinuation of instant film. The grant couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Seeing Eye Attending Veterinarian and Director of Canine Medicine & Surgery, Dr. Dolores Holle. “We are proud to continue our role as innovators and leaders in the guide dog movement through the use of new and improved diagnostic equipment that will help keep our dogs by their handlers’ sides for as long as possible.” The information gained in early ERG screenings also assisted Gustavo Aguirre, V.M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Pennsylvania in his research into Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a genetic disease which leads to blindness in dogs and his eventual identification of the actual gene that caused the defect. Dr. Aguirre, who served 12 years on The Seeing Eye’s Board of Trustees and headed its Canine Committee, continues to volunteer his expertise to The Seeing Eye by evaluating every ERG that is performed. “The new equipment was much needed,” said Dr. Aguirre. “The new software, with its zoom, point and click capabilities allows for much more precise measurement. The whole process has been streamlined.” Established in 1929, The Seeing Eye provides specially bred and trained dogs to guide people who are blind. Seeing Eye® dog users experience greatly enhanced mobility and independence, allowing them to retain their active lifestyles despite blindness. The Seeing Eye is a philanthropy supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, bequests, and other planned gifts. The Seeing Eye is a trademarked name and can only be used to describe the dogs bred and trained at the school’s facilities in Morristown, N.J. If you would like more information on The Seeing Eye, please visit the website at www.SeeingEye.org, email info@seeingeye.org or call (973) 539-4425. ### This message was sent to margo.downey@verizon.net by noreply@seeingeye.org You can modify/update your subscription via the link below. Unsubscribe from all mailings http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/c/su?e=BA282&c=FBD7&email=i4g2bv3C2uyqtUI7IlOnQFvxHHCdcxtrNyIeD9VsXLU%3D&relid=C6EC164 Manage Subscription http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/c/s?e=BA282&c=FBD7&email=i4g2bv3C2uyqtUI7IlOnQFvxHHCdcxtrNyIeD9VsXLU%3D&relid=C6EC164 Forward Email http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/c/f?e=BA282&c=FBD7&email=i4g2bv3C2uyqtUI7IlOnQFvxHHCdcxtrNyIeD9VsXLU%3D&relid=C6EC164 Report Abuse http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/Abuse?e=BA282&c=FBD7&email=i4g2bv3C2uyqtUI7IlOnQFvxHHCdcxtrNyIeD9VsXLU%3D&relid=C6EC164 Email Marketing BenchmarkEmail.com [http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com] Address: 10 Washington Valley Road, Morristown, NJ, 07960