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Hamilton, a 4-year-old English bulldog, was in such pain that he refused to open his eyes. His eyelids rolled inward, causing his eyelashes to scrape against his cornea, leading to profound discomfort.
“Have you ever had something scratch your cornea? It is profoundly painful,” said Dr. Dana Varble, chief veterinary officer for the North American Veterinary Community.
“For these poor animals, every blink is excruciating,” Varble added. “They often squint to see, which can make the eyelids turn in even more.”
After undergoing plastic surgery on his eyes, Hamilton could see and interact with his owners without pain.
“These nip and tucks are not cosmetic; they are critical to the animal’s health,” Varble explained. “If the eyelids roll in and the lashes rub the cornea, the result can be scarring and visual problems or even blindness.”
Hamilton’s eye condition worsened after weight gain, causing his cheeks to push the eyelids inward. Symptoms of this condition can appear in puppyhood, often mistaken for behavioral issues.
“We see these 6-month-old puppies who are cranky and not training well,” Varble said. “You take a closer look, and they’re in constant pain whenever they blink.”
Cats can also suffer from similar eyelid issues. Breeds like Persians and Himalayans, or those with round, puffy cheeks such as Siberians, Ragdolls, and Maine coons, can have malformed eyelids.
A 6-month-old Maine coon named Jinxy had a similar issue until his owner took him to a specialist in Athens, Georgia, for complex eyelid surgery.
“These eyelid diseases also occur in people,” said Dr. Kate Myrna, an associate professor of veterinary ophthalmology at the University of Georgia. “The surgery creates almost instant pain relief.”
However, treating cats can be more challenging because of their reluctance to have a bright light near their eyes, so vets might wrap them in a towel for the examination.
When Denali, a mastiff mix, was rescued at 4 months old, she had bulging red glands known as cherry eye. This condition can lead to injury or infection but is usually not painful.
“Surgery can be simple for an experienced veterinary surgeon,” Varble said. “Denali had a severe case, but the specialist saved the gland in her eye, reducing the risk of dry eye after surgery.”
Unfortunately, with only 500 veterinary ophthalmologists in the U.S., quick treatment can be hard to find. The North American Veterinary Community offers training so general vets can handle more eye issues, freeing specialists for more severe cases.
There are other eye conditions requiring plastic surgery, such as droopy eyelids in Mastiffs and bloodhounds, which can create dry spots or collect debris.
If pet owners notice significant irritation, such as redness, excessive squinting, or a blue haze over the entire eye, it is crucial to see a vet immediately, Myrna advised.
“A scratched eye can become infected and turn into a significant issue quickly,” Myrna said. “It can go from a minor injury to needing surgery or causing vision loss overnight.”