Entropian & Ectropian

Both of these terms relate to disorders of the eyelid.

These two conditions are usually picked up at the time of routine KC/BVA eye testing. Ectropian is usually quite obvious as the eyelids roll outwards and the dog appears to have very saggy eyes. With entropian the eyelids roll inwards.

Ectropion is an abnormal distortion of the eyelids in which they roll outwards so that there is exposure of the underlying conjunctiva. It only affects the lower eyelid. Entropian may affect the whole length of a lid or just part of it. Sometimes ectropian & entropian (turning in of the lid) are present at the same time.

Please note, in parti-coloured cocker spaniels it is fairly common for the lower 'third' eyelid (nictitating membrane) to be unpigmented (often it is only one eye) & therefore the lower eye area can be pink coloured. The depth of pink should be pale but this can deepen to a more reddish colour if the dog is teething/tired or has been pulling on the lead.

Please note, a dog can develop ectropian as he ages and his skin looses some elasticity and it is quite common to see elderly cockers with saggy eyes (which were previously tight during the dogs younger years.)

Unpigmented eyelids can be mistaken for ectropian, however if the lower eyelids are tight (not sagging/drooping) the dog does not have ectropian! Tight eyelids are crescent shaped, loose eyelids have a "V" shaped sag to them.

What are the signs of ectropian?

Clinical signs include running eyes due to tear pooling & a failure to drain away properly through the tear duct. The development of conjunctivitis with reddening of the whites of the eyes (called "red eye").

Causes of ectropian

• A congenital defect, which is prevalent in some breeds (including cocker spaniels)
• Scarring following the healing of wounds to the eyelid area
• Age-related changes (loss of tone in the muscle and skin)
• Spasm of the orbicularis muscle in the eyelid

Treatment

If the ectropian is minor, simply an undesirable cosmetic affect and not causing any clinical signs no treatment is necessary.

For ectropian associated with clinical signs, there are many surgical procedures to correct the alignment of the eyelids involving plastic surgery of the skin and muscle adjacent to the eyelid margins.

What are the signs of entropian?

Clinical signs include running eyes due to excess tear formation, blinking, squinting, the development of conjunctivitis with reddening of the whites of the eyes and often there will be the formation of ulcers on the surface of the eye (the cornea) due to the abrasive action of the eyelashes scrapping the surface of the eye. If left untreated, serious damage can be caused to the cornea including ulceration, chronic thickening and loss of vision.

Causes of entropian

• A congenital defect, which is prevalent in some breeds (including cocker spaniels)

Treatment

If the entropian is minor and not causing any clinical signs no treatment is necessary, often only one or two eyelashes are particularly close to the cornea, in these cases (with a steady hand!) the offending eyelashes can be plucked from the eyelid as and when required in order to prevent irritation.

For entropian associated with clinical signs, there are, as with ectropian, many surgical procedures to correct the alignment of the eyelids involving plastic surgery of the skin and muscle adjacent to the eyelid margins.