Entropion

Entropion is a medical conditionin which the eyelidsfold inward. It is very uncomfortable, as the eyelashesrub against the eyeballconstantly. Entropion is usually caused by geneticfactors and may be congenital. Trachomainfection may cause scarringof the inner eyelid, which may cause entropion.

Symptomsof entropion include:

• Redness and painaround the eye
• Sensitivityto lightand wind
• Sagging skinaround the eye
• Excessive tearing
• Decreased vision, especially if the corneais damaged

Treatment is a simple surgeryin which excess skin of the outer lids is removed. Prognosis is excellent if surgery is performed before the cornea is damaged.

Causes

• Congenital
• Aging
• Scarring
• Spasm

Entropion in dogs

Entropion has been documented in most dogbreeds, although there are some breeds (particularly purebreds) that are more commonly affected than others. These include the Chow Chow, Shar Pei, St. Bernard, Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Bull Mastiff, Great Dane, Irish Setter, and Poodle. The condition is usually present by six months of age. Entropion can also occur secondary to pain in the eye, scarring of the eyelid, or nerve damage. The upper or lower eyelid can be involved. Upper lid entropion involves the eyelashesrubbing on the eye, but the lower lid usually has no eyelashes, so hair rubs on the eye. Surgicalcorrection is used in more severe cases. A strip of skin and orbicularis oculimuscle are removed parallel to the affected portion of the lid and then the skin is sutured. Shar Peis, who often are affected as young as two or three weeks old, respond well to temporary eyelid tacking. The entropion is often corrected after three to four weeks, and the sutures are removed.

References

Humans

• http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/patientcare/conditions/entropion.html
• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001008.htm
• http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/ocular%20disorders/entropion.htm

Dogs

• Gelatt, Kirk N. (ed.)(1999). Veterinary Ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-683-30076-8

See also

• Ectropion

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropion Wikipedia article Entropion.