3rd eyelid - repair or not?

Re: 3rd eyelid - repair or not?

fluffygirl — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:48:34 GMT

No need for surgical repair unless it involves a large proportion of the 3rd eyelid or its leading edge which seems mostly intact from the photo. I doubt its the cause of the conjunctivitis in this particular case. The leading edge helps to distribute the tear film so I would never ever remove it or trim it. If the cornea looks healthy then its likely doing its job and best left alone.

Re: 3rd eyelid - repair or not?

Sammy82 — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 17:02:46 GMT

[quote user="emma_j"]

Sorry - should have said the photo is me putting pressure above the eye so we can see it - usually it is tucked away as normal.

Thanks for the backup guys - I'll stick to my guns on this one and no surgerising on this one from me!

[/quote]

totally agree, in this case I wouldn't touch it.

Re: 3rd eyelid - repair or not?

ChrisBVSc — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 16:21:07 GMT

Seen a few cats with very 'ragged' 3rd eyelids like that without any issues. Agree with leaving alone for now!

Re: 3rd eyelid - repair or not?

emma_j — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 15:53:00 GMT

Sorry - should have said the photo is me putting pressure above the eye so we can see it - usually it is tucked away as normal.

Thanks for the backup guys - I'll stick to my guns on this one and no surgerising on this one from me!

Re: 3rd eyelid - repair or not?

Niall Taylor — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 21:52:22 GMT

[quote user="emma_j"]I'm thinking that scarring following any surgery may well be just as problematic as what is currently there, and that we may expect the cat to be more prone to mild irritation because of it but if that can be easily managed medically then uncertain if surgery is really indicated?[/quote]

Me too! Leave well alone.

Niall

Re: 3rd eyelid - repair or not?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 19:29:48 GMT

I'm not an ophthalmologist, but.....

I can't think that the third eyelid would irritate the eye unless it were grossly deformed – scrunched up or lumpy.

Leaving it as it is might improve the chances of adoption (by a vet, for instance)?

Re: 3rd eyelid - repair or not?

Sammy82 — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 15:20:08 GMT

Is the flap always in this position? I wouldn't think it causes conjunctivitis, but is is certainly covering part of the pupil, therefore obscuring the field of vision. Although the cat is probably well used to this by now it would probably appreciate having the flap trimmed back just to improve its vision. I don't think this is a medical "must" though, but it might also increase its chance of being rehomed by improving the cat's appearance.