Ingrown Eyelashes in Cats

According to "Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" (Delbert G. Carlson, DVM, et al; 2007) most cats never grow eyelashes. For those few that do, the eyelashes sometimes grow on the lids towards the eye in a condition called trichiais or entropion.

  1. Causes

    • Feline entropion can be caused by a birth defect in flat-faced cats, by scarring from an old eye injury, eye surgery or a problem with loosening of the eyelid muscles in older cats.

    Breeds

    • "ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats" (James R. Richards, DVM; 1999) notes that ingrown eyelashes in cats can happen to any breed, but appears most often in Persians, Himalayans, Bengals and exotic shorthairs.

    Symptoms

    • Although the ingrown eyelashes in cats cannot be seen, their effects can. According to veterinarian Dr. Bari Spielman, the cat's eye may darken in color, will constantly produces tears and mucus or blood-tinted discharge and will not be able to fully open.

    Significance

    • Not only is feline entropion painful, but the constant rubbing against the cornea could cause injures that may cause the cat to go blind.

    Treatment

    • "Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" notes that just removing the already grown eyelash will not prevent it from growing back. Cryotherapy (freezing the eyelash root) or surgery can make a permanent change.