Entropion

Commonly affected pets

We commonly see this condition in breeds such as Rottweilers, Malamutes, Mastiffs and the Shar Pei, and it usually appears with the outer eyelashes of the lower eyelids rolling inwards – though in Shar Pei puppies, we often find that the entropion of the upper eyelid will self-correct as the puppy continues to grow. In these cases, we manage the issue with anti-inflammatory or antibiotic eye ointments and occasionally place sutures to hold the upper lids away from the cornea for a month or two. Additionally, older cats and pugs are also susceptible to entropion, though with Pugs the entropion often appears at inner and near the nose are (medial) of the lower eyelids.

The need for treatment

Unfortunately, when left untreated, entropion will lead to scarring of the cornea and eventually partial or complete blindness. The condition will also cause marked discomfort 24/7 for your pet until it is treated.

Treatment method

We treat entropion through surgery performed under general anaesthetic, which can take anywhere between 20 to 45 minutes, depending on whether one or both eyes will need to be treated. We make an incision along the length of the eyelid to ensure the eye is symmetrical (given the curvature of the eye). Due to the incision placement, it is difficult to see any scar in the long term. We have also found that it is rarely necessary to shave any hair from the eye area – meaning owners don’t have to wait for months for the appearance of their pet to return to normal.