Entropion in Dogs

Normally the upper and lower eyelids close tightly, protecting the eye from damage and preventing tear evaporation. Entropion is the most common congenital defect of the eyelids in which the top or the bottom of the eyelids are turned inward so that the eyelashes constantly rub and irritate the eyeball itself. Untreated, it can damage vision severely. It can also be caused by injury or a long-standing eye infection. Corneal injuries are common. A surgical procedure can fully correct this condition.

It may be difficult to distinguish entropion from blepharospasm. The best way to tell them apart is to administer a topical anasthetic. If the inverted eyelids are caused by plepharospasm, temporary blocking the eye pain causes the inversion to disappear. Entropion is accompanied by excessive tearing.

Surgery to correct entropion prohibits dogs from being shown in American Kennel Club conformation shows (the rule bars any dogs that has had any surgery to correct the dog's appearance).

Entropion is a painful eye condition, and there should be no question that a responsible and caring owner should choose corrective surgery over a show career. The AKC's stipulation applies only to conformation show events and does not restrict the dog from competing in any AKC performance event.

A novel surgical combination technique for the correction of lower lid entropion in dogs and cats is available. The overall success rate for a single surgical procedure to correct lower lid entropion with this technique is 94.2% per eye.

References:
1. A New Owner's Guide To Bernese Mountain Dogs (New Owner's Guide) Amy Christiansen
2. Entropion correction in dogs and cats using a combination Hotz-Celsus and lateral eyelid 'wedge resection, Read RA, Broun HC.

Canine Eye Diseases and Vision Disorders