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Entropion

Entropion is a rolling of the eyelid margin towards the inside of the eye. The hairs of the eyelid then rub directly on the cornea, with each blink. This constant rubbing is painful and eventually damages the surface of the eye. It most oft...

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Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

Entropion is a rolling of the eyelid margin towards the inside of the eye. The hairs of the eyelid then rub directly on the cornea, with each blink.

This constant rubbing is painful and eventually damages the surface of the eye.

It most often affects the lower eyelid, on one side or both. It is a conformation anomaly: it cannot be corrected with local care, only surgery resolves the problem in a lasting manner.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Red eyes Discharge from the eyes Pain Closed or half-closed eye Constant licking Cloudy or opaque eye

Permanent tearing, with a moist and often colored streak under the eye.

Red eye, dog who squints and blinks a lot, especially in bright light or in the wind.

Edge of the eyelid visibly turned inwards, hairs which disappear on contact with the eye.

Repeated scratching of the face on the affected side.

Over time, the cornea can become cloudy, pigmented brown, or ulcerated.

In puppies, signs often appear in the first weeks of life.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

In the majority of cases, it is an inherited conformation: the length of the eyelid, the shape of the skull and the thickness of the skin of the forehead cause the edge of the eyelid to roll inwards.

A so-called spastic form appears in a dog that already has eye pain: the pain causes the eyelids to contract, which causes them to roll up, which aggravates the pain. The circle is self-sustaining.

Entropion can also occur after an eyelid scar, or in a very emaciated dog whose orbital fat has melted.

Breeds with heavy skin and facial creases, large breeds with loose eyelids, several breeds with flattened faces, and some working dogs are predisposed.

The hereditary trait is well established in many breeds: operated dogs should not be used for breeding.

Significant weight loss or a painful eye disease can trigger a secondary form.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

The diagnosis is essentially visual: the veterinarian observes the edge of the eyelid and the contact of the hairs with the cornea, on an awake and calm dog, because the anesthesia modifies the position of the eyelids.

He applies a dye to check if the cornea is already ulcerated.

It measures tear production and looks for an underlying painful cause in order to distinguish conformational entropion from spastic entropion: applying a local anesthetic makes the latter disappear, not the former.

This distinction is important because purely spastic entropion disappears when the cause of the pain is treated.

Treatment

Surgical correction is the standard treatment. The veterinarian removes a strip of skin calculated from under the eyelid to unroll the edge outwards and restore normal contact.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and it is common to operate on both eyelids at the same time.

In very young puppies, a temporary technique based on traction points can be applied to protect the cornea while the head finishes growing: the definitive correction is carried out later, once the conformation has stabilized.

While waiting for surgery, lubricants and pain management protect the cornea, but they do not remove the cause.

If an ulcer is present, it is treated at the same time; eye drops based on corticosteroids should be avoided as long as the cornea is raw.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Prevention requires selection: do not breed affected dogs or those who have had surgery, and find out about the parents' eyes before purchasing a puppy in a predisposed breed.

In a puppy of a breed at risk, have the eyelids examined during vaccination visits: entropion detected early avoids months of rubbing on the cornea.

Watch for any persistent tearing on one side.

Possible complications

Recurrent corneal ulcers, sometimes deep.

Brown pigmentation and permanent scarring of the cornea, with lasting loss of vision.

Chronic pain and withdrawal of the dog, which becomes less active or more irritable without the link being made with its eyes.

In neglected cases, loss of vision in the affected eye.

When to see a veterinarian

Your dog or puppy is constantly watering in one or both eyes.

He squints his eyelids, blinks a lot, avoids light.

You see the edge of the eyelid turned inwards or hairs touching the eye.

A whitish, bluish or brown area appears on the surface of the eye.

The eye suddenly becomes very painful and closed: consult the same day, an ulcer is possible.

Prognosis

The prognosis after surgery is very good: most dogs regain a comfortable and dry eye.

A touch-up is sometimes necessary, especially in breeds with very abundant skin or when the dog has had surgery young.

The possible after-effects come from the corneal lesions accumulated before the intervention, which argues against delaying the operation.

Frequently asked questions

Can surgery be avoided?

For conformation entropion, no: no eye drops will unroll an eyelid. Lubricants provide relief while awaiting surgery. Only spastic entropion, due to occasional pain, can disappear when the cause is treated.

At what age should a puppy operate?

The veterinarian generally waits until the growth of the head is advanced for a definitive correction. If the cornea suffers too much, a temporary technique protects it in the meantime.

Is it hereditary?

In most affected breeds, yes. This is why operated dogs should not be used for breeding.

Is the recovery long?

A few days of discomfort, a collar until the stitches are removed and local treatment during healing. Most dogs are visibly more comfortable from the first few days.