Entropion
Description and Clinical Presentation
 
Entropion is a condition where the eyelid turns inward towards the eyeball. It most commonly affects the lower eyelid but can also occur in the upper eyelid or in combination. The condition is usually affects both eyes, but it can affect one eye only. The causes of entropion are varied and it commonly occurs in:
 
Dogs with allergic eyelid diseases and follicular conjunctivitis
Breeds with excessively long and/or lax eyelids and excess skin (English Bulldog, Chow Chow, Shar-Pei, St. Bernard, Rottweiler)
Breeds with short muzzles and pronounced stops (Pekingese, Pug, English Bulldog, Toy Poodle)
Conditions where there is loss of support to the eyelid, body fat or muscle mass, or when the size of the eyeball decreases (older dogs and cats or those with atrophy of the eyeball)
Corneal ulcers or other painful eye processes causing chronic blepharospasm (in cats, this is the most common cause of entropion, although some breeds are also predisposed)
Eyelid injury, where scarring leads to tissue contraction and eyelid inversion
Symptoms of entropion result from eye irritation (trichiasis). These can include tearing, chronic conjunctivitis, blepharospasm, keratitis, corneal ulcers, and the appearance of scar tissue or pigment on the cornea.
 
Therapy
 
Spastic entropion is resolved by removing the primary cause of entropion, i.e., by removing the cause of eye irritation or pain. Allergies must be controlled. Temporarily, entropion can be treated with non-absorbable sutures, an effective method for young dogs or in cases of spastic entropion. The most reliable method for permanent resolution is surgical treatment. Several surgical techniques are described, and the choice of which will be indicated is made by an ophthalmologist, considering the dog's breed, age, location of entropion, and the cause. Sometimes, two or more surgical procedures may need to be combined at the same time for effective correction. If the primary problem causing entropion is not addressed, even the best surgical procedure can fail. Therefore, a detailed ophthalmological examination by a trained specialist is recommended, as in many cases, adequate medical treatment can eliminate the need for complex surgery. Consequences of entropion, such as keratitis and/or ulcer, must be managed.
 
Please contact our specialty veterinary ophthalmology hospital Animal Eye Consultants
of Iowa (animaleyeiowa@gmail.com) in USA or Oculus Veterinary Specialty Hospital
(oculusklinika@gmail.com) in Serbia, Europe to schedule an appointment so your pet
can be seen.