Eyelids are mucocutaneous folds that play a crucial role in protecting the eyeball and distributing and producing part of the tear film. Among the main ocular conditions affecting the eyelids are congenital malformations like entropion, ectropion, distichiasis, and trichiasis. Entropion can originate from a primary or congenital cause, often linked to excess skin. This results in the eyelid rolling inward toward the eye, causing the hair to rub against the cornea. Certain breeds, such as Chow-Chow, Shar-Pei, and English Bulldog, are more predisposed to this condition.
Entropion can affect one eye (unilateral) or both (bilateral), and it may involve a specific area of the eyelid or the entire eyelid, including the upper, lower, or both. Secondary or spastic entropion is usually accompanied by ocular pain due to surface corneal issues like keratitis, ulcers, or intraocular diseases such as uveitis or glaucoma. You might also see a different type of secondary entropion in elderly or ill animals that have lost retrobulbar fat, leading to enophthalmia.
This condition is common in dogs, and correcting it is vital to prevent discomfort and serious eye damage. A thorough ophthalmic examination is essential to determine if the entropion is primary or secondary, allowing for proper surgical treatment planning under general anesthesia.
In some cases, a temporary correction can be made by injecting hyaluronic acid in patients who cannot undergo general anesthesia. At IVeM, we have the expertise and equipment needed to diagnose and treat any type of entropion safely and effectively.
