TL;DR: Inward-turning eyelashes (entropion) are a painful condition that can lead to permanent corneal damage; you should schedule a veterinary exam within 24 to 48 hours.
What is the medical condition where my cat's eyelashes turn inward?
When you notice your cat's eyelashes or eyelid fur rubbing against their eyeball, it is typically a condition known as Entropion. This occurs when the eyelid rolls inward, causing the hair to scrape against the sensitive cornea. This constant friction is not only painful but can lead to serious complications such as corneal ulcers or permanent scarring.
Is my cat's inward-turning eyelid a veterinary emergency?
- Urgency Level: Medium—while rarely life-threatening, it requires prompt attention.
- Timeline: Aim to have your cat seen by a veterinarian within 24 to 48 hours.
- Immediate Action: Contact an urgent care clinic if the eye is held shut, you see thick yellow discharge, or the eyeball changes color.
Why should I take a photo of my cat's eye before the vet visit?
- Allows the vet to see the natural position of the eyelid while your cat is relaxed at home.
- Prevents diagnostic issues caused by cats squinting or hiding discomfort when stressed at the clinic.
- Provides visual evidence that helps the medical team determine the severity of irritation and prioritize the appointment.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Entropion, the inversion of the eyelid, is a frequent inherited eyelid defect that can also result from cicatrix formation and severe blepharospasm due to ocular or periocular pain. Inversion of the cilia (eyelashes) or facial hairs causes discomfort, conjunctival and corneal irritation, and if protracted, corneal scarring, pigmentation, and possible ulceration. Early spastic entropion may be reversed if the inciting cause is quickly removed or if pain is alleviated by everting the lid hairs away from the eye with mattress sutures in the lid, by subcutaneous injections (e.g., of procaine penicillin) into the lid adjacent to the entropion, or by palpebral nerve blocks. Temporary stay sutures or surgical staples left in place for 2-3 weeks may be used to treat entropion in very young puppies; however, established entropion usually requires surgical correction.
Chapter: Ophthalmology, Surgery
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 489)