Entropion is an eyelid deformity in which your dog’s eyelid rolls inward. Entropion can occur in one or both eyes. It may also be present in both of your dog’s eyelids or just the lower or upper eyelid. It generally occurs, though, in the lower eyelids.

You will notice your dog’s eyelid or eyelids roll inward. Because the eyelid and eyelid hairs are likely to rub against your dog’s eye, the eye may be irritated and cause your dog pain. You therefore may notice that your dog is tearing, squinting or pawing at the eyes. The irritation may also cause your dog to get corneal ulcers.

Entropion can be a genetic or acquired condition. Genetic entropion is seen more frequently in certain breeds including Bulldogs, Great Danes, Irish Setters, Saint Bernards and Chinese Shar-peis. Acquired entropion is generally caused by underlying neurological or eye diseases.

Your veterinarian will diagnose entropion upon giving your dog a thorough eye exam.

Corrective surgery is the only treatment. One form of corrective surgery, generally done when entropion is diagnosed in a puppy and still growing, is to place sutures or skin staples in the impacted eyelid, in order to force the eyelids outward. The sutures will be removed after about a week. At this point, the entropion should be gone. The second form of corrective surgery is to remove some skin from the impacted eyelid. With either type of corrective surgery, the vet will have to be very careful not to overcorrect. Overcorrecting entropion can lead to ectropion, or the eye’s permanent inability to close.

Do not breed severely affected dogs, nor should you acquire a dog who has a family history of entropion.

No, you cannot contract entropion from your dog.