Causes of retinal dysplasia include which?

• A. Inherited (multiple breeds)
• B. Infection after birth
• C. Trauma
• D. Nutritional deficiency in cats

Answer: (A)

Retinal dysplasia is a developmental abnormality of the retina caused by genetic factors. Its occurrence across multiple breeds points to a hereditary basis, since the retina forms during fetal life and mutations can disrupt its normal development, producing folds or rosettes seen on exam. Infections after birth aren’t typically the cause of this congenital pattern and would lead to other inflammatory or infectious changes rather than a dysplastic retina. Trauma tends to cause acute injury, scarring, or detachments, not a congenital dysplasia pattern. Nutritional deficiencies in cats can lead to retinal degeneration, but not the characteristic developmental malformations of dysplasia. So, inheritance across multiple breeds best explains retinal dysplasia.