Description of the Disease and Clinical Picture
 
Eyelid agenesis is a hereditary disease, most commonly found in cats, and can manifest in multiple kittens from the same litter. Affected animals are born with an incomplete eyelid margin. The disorder is generally bilateral and symmetrical, affecting all layers, most often the lateral part of the upper eyelid. In dogs, the lateral part of the lower eyelid is most commonly affected. The size of the defect can vary. This genetic anomaly is often accompanied by other eye anomalies, with the presence of persistent pupillary membranes being the most common accompanying problem in cats. In dogs, eyelid agenesis is sometimes accompanied by microphthalmia (small eye globe), absence of lacrimal glands, persistent pupillary membranes, cataracts, retinal dysplasia, and coloboma of the optic nerve. Sometimes in dogs, a complete eyelid margin is present, but without developed Meibomian glands. Eyelid agenesis often results in trichiasis (contact between hair and the eye surface), which can lead to changes in the cornea, vascularization, pigmentary keratitis, corneal sequestrum, and ulcers. If the animal is unable to completely close the eye with its eyelids, the protective role of the eyelids is lost. This results in exposure to adverse environmental factors and eye dryness. Such individuals are prone to eye injuries and keratitis.
 
Therapy
In some milder cases, it is sufficient to frequently apply lubricants to the eye surface and permanently remove hair follicles of those hairs that irritate the eye surface. However in majority of cases, where patients have significant issues, and are unable to protect the cornea with eyelids, or frequently develop corneal ulcers or chronic scarring despite prevention, an ophthalmologist will recommend surgical reconstruction of the eyelids.
 
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.