Is there an over-the-counter eye drop to treat the symptoms of entropion in a cat? What are the causes and treatment for this disease?

Hi Helen,

Thanks for your question. I appreciate you submitting it and sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this.

Entropion is a condition where the edge of the eyelids are curling in towards the eye. This results in the persistent rubbing of the surface of the eye and it is very irritating. It leads to chronic recurrent infections, pain, ulcers and scarring. It is usually in flat-faced dogs like Pugs and Shih Tzu’s (otherwise known as the brachycephalic breeds), and it is often a  genetic abnormality that the dog is born with but the problems and symptoms tend to occur as the dog grows to a mature size.

The only real option for treatment to resolve the issue is surgery to correct the ‘deformity’ of the eyelids. There are a few different procedures to choose from depending on the exact nature of the defect. They are typically performed by ophthalmologists and surgical specialists. Until this can be done, you can treat the issues that arise, such as the irritation, inflammation and infection that can be present but this is often temporary. The surgery is the treatment that provides a permanent resolution.

You are certainly doing the right thing by seeing the specialist and it’s possible that they may have further options, but I can’t provide anything further without personally performing an examination. The treatments you are currently using are likely valuable if they are addressing the concurrent problems as the medications you list typically do. I would continue as you are and look to the referral appointment as the next step.

I hope this helps.

Dr. Clayton Greenway