Healing Eyes : Entropion Surgery

Zen’s story of his eye surgery to restore comfort.

// Pet Ophthalmology //

Case Study:
Zen's Entropion Entropion Surgery

Patient Profile
Name: Zen
Breed: Cat – Domestic Shorthair

Age at Treatment: 1 Year 5 Months

Sex/Neuter Status: Male, entire

Condition: Entropion

Persistent squinting and sticky eyes can be exhausting for cats and worrying for families. Zen’s case shows how a tailored surgical plan can gently correct eyelid in-rolling (entropion), stop hairs rubbing the eye, and restore day‑to‑day comfort.

What Brought Zen to Us

Zen had squinty, sore eyes from a young age, worse on the right side. Despite various drops from his GP vet, the discomfort would settle then return. His owner also noticed his head shape looked a little narrow and domed. By the time of referral, both eyes were red with sticky discharge and Zen was clearly uncomfortable.

Initial Findings & Diagnosis

Zen was bright and otherwise well. Both palpebral fissures (eye openings) were narrowed with frequent blinking and patchy hair loss at the outer eyelids. Examination confirmed entropion—the eyelid margins rolled inward at the lateral (outer) corners, so hairs rubbed the eyes (trichiasis), causing surface inflammation (keratitis) and superficial corneal blood vessels. Vision and eye pressures were normal in both eyes.

The diagnosis was bilateral entropion involving the lateral parts of the upper and lower eyelids, likely related to his skull conformation. PCR tests for common infectious causes of conjunctivitis (feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma) were negative. A topical anaesthetic test reduced spasm slightly but did not correct the inward roll, confirming a true conformational problem.

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Treatment Strategy

We planned a gentle, permanent correction to stop hairs rubbing the eyes. Under general anaesthesia, and using surgical magnification, Zen had bilateral arrow‑head (modified Hotz‑Celsus) entropion surgery at the outer corners of both upper and lower eyelids. Fine sutures repositioned the eyelid margins to a natural, outward‑facing position. He received multimodal pain relief and went home wearing an Elizabethan collar with anti‑inflammatory medicine and a short course of antibiotic eye drops.

Recovery and Follow‑Up

Two days after surgery Zen was comfortable with a normal blink rate and clean incisions; there was some expected, mild swelling of the inner eyelids. At 13 days, both eyes were bright with a healthy shine, the surface inflammation had resolved, and the corneal blood vessels were regressing. His hair was regrowing and there was no longer any trichiasis. The collar was removed and Zen was signed off.

Key Takeaways for Cat Owners

Entropion is an inward roll of the eyelid that makes hairs rub the eye—causing pain, squinting and discharge.
Definitive surgical correction is kind and effective when the problem is conformational rather than purely spasm‑related.
Early correction prevents ongoing surface damage (keratitis) and speeds recovery.
Most cats are comfortable within days and return to normal routines quickly.

Worried About Squinting or Sticky Eyes?

If your cat is blinking excessively, has red eyes or a mucky discharge, please contact Knutsford Veterinary Surgery.

A prompt assessment helps us restore comfort and protect long‑term eye health.

You can explore more about our pet eye experience by visiting our Ophthalmology hub via the link below:

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Healing Eyes : Entropion Surgery

// Pet Ophthalmology //