Surgical Treatment of Nictitans Membrane Eversion in Dogs

Abstract

The presented study is the first retrospective evaluation of the scrolling of the third eyelid in a total of 44 dogs, referred to the XXX, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Surgery between 2012 and 2021 with a sudden onset of an ocular mass in the medial canthus with epiphora and conjunctival hyperemia, addressing to the clinical appearances, treatment procedures, and outcomes. A complete ophthalmological inspection revealed the cartilage eversion of the nictitating membrane in sixteen patients due to the scrolling of the third eyelid and cartilage eversion accompanied by a prolapsed gland in twenty-eight patients. Cartilage eversion was treated by the resection of the defected cartilage portion, while concurrent gland prolapse was corrected by further applying the Morgan pocket technique, allowing the repositioning of the prolapsed gland. In conclusion, -taking into account the potential effect of breed, age, and gender predispositions- the therapeutic approach followed revealed satisfactory results in maintaining the functional capacity of the third eyelid in dogs with cartilage eversion of the nictitating membrane and hyperplasia of the nictitans gland.