Vet’s 2025 Guide to Entropion in Horses – by Dr Duncan Houston
In this article
👁️ Vet’s 2025 Guide to Entropion in Horses
By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc
1. What Is Entropion?
Entropion is when the eyelid—usually the lower—folds inward, causing eyelashes or hair to rub on the cornea, leading to irritation, tearing, squinting, conjunctivitis, and painful ulcers if untreated :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
2. Who Develops It & Why?
- Foals (congenital): tight lids can occur in neonates, often corrected early :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- Older horses (acquired): result of scar tissue, chronic irritation, eyelid spasm or trauma :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
3. Clinical Signs & Diagnosis
- Signs include excessive tearing, squinting (blepharospasm), conjunctivitis.
- Visible inward roll of the eyelid margin; examine carefully in daylight.
- If lashes are rubbing on the cornea, the risk of ulceration is high—early diagnosis via ophthalmic exam is critical :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
4. Medical Management Options
- Tape or suture techniques: temporary "accordion" sutures can evert the lid to relieve corneal contact :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
- Block nerve impulses: local anesthetic injection may relax spasm in early or mild cases :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
- Frequent lubrication: protective eye drops reduce abrasion risk until a lasting solution is found.
5. Surgical Correction Techniques
- Surgical resection: removing a wedge of skin to evert the lid correctly.
- Suture tacking: temporary stitches placed to roll eyelid outward.
- Spasmodic relief: releasing scar tissue to correct acquired cases.
These procedures are often quick, outpatient, with sutures removed in 7–10 days.
6. Post‑Operative Care & Recovery
- Administer prescribed anti-inflammatories and antibiotic eye ointment.
- Place a fly mask or cup to protect the eye and prevent rubbing.
- Monitor daily for redness, discharge, suture integrity or recurring roll.
- Return for follow-ups at 7–10 days for suture removal and 2–4 weeks to ensure correct healing.
7. Potential Complications
- Overcorrection leading to ectropion (outward-turning lid) and exposure.
- Recurrence due to tissue stretching or infection.
- Surgical site infection—watch for swelling, discharge, or discomfort.
8. Prognosis & Long‑Term Outlook
With timely, appropriate treatment, prognosis is excellent. Most foals return to normal without recurrent entropion. Adults may require bilateral or repeat correction in scarred areas :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
9. Prevention & Early Detection
- Check young foals within hours of birth for lid malalignment.
- Avoid trauma near the eye; treat scratches or infections promptly.
- Monitor older horses with facial scars—early medical suture may prevent surgery.
10. Ask A Vet Integration 🩺
Ask A Vet helps through:
- Video/photo assessment of eyelid position and corneal contact.
- Step‑by‑step guidance on taping or placing temporary sutures.
- Post-op care reminders—medications, mask use, check-ins.
- Connects you with referral advice when surgical correction is required.
Download the Ask A Vet app today for instant support with eyelid health and surgeries throughout 2025! ❤️
11. Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Who’s affected | Foals (congenital) & adults (acquired) |
| Signs | Tearing, squinting, corneal irritation/swelling |
| Medical fixes | Temporary sutures, nerve blocks, ointments |
| Surgery | Wedge resection or lid tacking |
| Recovery | 7–10 days sutures, eye protection, follow‑up |
| Prognosis | Very good if treated early |
12. Final Thoughts
Entropion is a painful eyelid condition but is readily treatable with swift diagnosis and intervention. With proper surgical or medical management, most horses recover fully with clear eyes and comfort. Ask A Vet offers real-time guidance and check-ins through every step—keeping your equine companion’s eye health in expert hands throughout 2025. 👁️❤️
