[2] Symptoms include sudden permanent blindness, but may occur more slowly over several days, weeks or months,[3] dilated pupils.
Pupillary light reflexes are usually reduced but present; the slow phase mediated by melanopsin in retinal ganglion cells is retained.
Other symptoms commonly seen are similar to those seen with Cushing's disease and include increased water consumption and urination, weight gain, confusion, restlessness, behavioral changes and lethargy.
[5] Some owners notice a more obvious "eye shine" in photographs due to the dilated pupils and retinal atrophy creating what is described as a "hyper-reflective tapetum".
Autoimmune disease as a cause is controversial because some studies have supported the presence of antiretinal autoantibodies in dogs with SARDS,[6][7] but others have failed to show a link.