The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (C.E.R.F.) established in 1974, is an organization dedicated to the elimination of heritable eye disease in purebred dogs through registration and research.
The C.E.R.F. registry is a national repository of information collected on both dogs certified free of heritable eye disease, as well as all dogs examined by American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (A.C.V.O.) diplomates. By compiling data from their registry, C.E.R.F. is able to provide a variety of reports on the frequency of eye diseases in certain breeds. Responsible breeders and dog owners often find the C.E.R.F. registry useful when researching breeding stock and identifying eye problems specific to their breed specialty.
The A.C.V.O diplomate performs the dog's eye examination in accordance with a uniform standard and completes the tri-carbon C.E.R.F. Eye Examination Form, indicating if any diseases were found. Regardless of the outcome of the eye examination, one part of the tri-carbon form is sent to C.E.R.F. where it will be added to the national data repository. The individual dog's identity is held in confidence unless the owner completes his copy of the C.E.R.F. form and submits it to C.E.R.F. with the applicable registration fee. The C.E.R.F. eye examine is good for 12 months, at which time the dog must be re-examined in order to be listed in the registry of dog's certified to be free of heritable eye disease.
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