Entropion is a condition in which the eyelids roll in and result in eyelashes and facial hair rubbing against the cornea, which can lead to corneal ulcerations, corneal scarring, discomfort, and impaired vision.
This problem is usually inherited and we commonly see this condition in the Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, Bulldog, Retriever, Rottweiler, and Setter breeds at a young age, though the condition can occur in aging dogs as well as cats and foals. Permanent surgical correction under general anesthesia is usually necessary. In 85% of cases, only one surgery is needed. In very young puppies, surgery is deemed risky as their facial conformation will change as they grow. Thus, for puppies under 6 months of age, we usually place temporary tarsorrhaphy sutures (or “tacking”) to attempt to retrain the eyelids and help protect the cornea as the patient grows. We are usually able to do this with the patient wide awake or lightly sedated. The goal of this procedure is to avoid permanent surgical correction later in life, though sometimes it is still necessary.
Cost of treatment depends upon the breed and the severity of the entropion. Find current costs of treatment.