Introduction

• Cause: congenital and often associated with entropion Entropion and/or ectropion Ectropion in breeds like the St Bernard St Bernard , Bloodhound Bloodhound and Cocker Spaniel English Cocker Spaniel.
• Signs: an excessively large eyelid opening (palpebral fissure).
• Can → exposure keratitis Keratitis in brachycephalics.
• Diagnosis: clinical signs, breed.
• Treatment: surgery - permanent partial tarsorrhaphy or lid shortening techniques.
• Prognosis: good.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Overlarge palpebral fissure along with underdeveloped lateral canthal ligament → eyelid laxity.

• Exaggerated proptosis.
• Gross disparity between the size of the globe and the length of the lid.

Predisposing factors

• Brachycephalic conformation.

Pathophysiology

• Large palpebral fissure +/- underdeveloped lateral canthal ligament → laxity of the eyelids → combined entropion/ectropion Combined entropion / ectropion.

• Large palpebral fissure plus prominent globe due to shallow orbit or gross disparity between the size of the globe and the length of the lid → lagophthalmos → exposure keratitis Keratitis.

• Exposure of eye and abnormal tear production → corneal dryness → reduced sensation of cornea and increased risk of damage.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes