Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cryoepilation treatment for eyelash problems in 15 cats
By Reynolds, B D et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2025·Eye Clinic for Animals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Feline distichiasis treated with cryoepilation: A retrospective study of 15 cats (27 eyes).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 15 domestic shorthair cats, averaging 2.2 years old, were treated for distichiasis, a condition where extra eyelashes grow in the wrong place and can irritate the eyes. They underwent a procedure called cryoepilation, which freezes the problematic hairs, and most cats saw improvement. However, about 30% of the cats experienced a recurrence of the issue, with some needing a second treatment to fully resolve their symptoms. While there were some complications, like eyelid problems in a few cats, the overall outcome was positive, with most cats feeling better after treatment.
People also search for: cat eye problems distichiasis · cat eyelid surgery recovery · treatment for cat eye irritation
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features of cats diagnosed with distichiasis and report on the outcomes following cryoepilation. ANIMALS STUDIED: Fifteen cats (27 eyes). PROCEDURES: Medical records of domestic cats with distichiasis that underwent a double freeze-thaw cycle with a -80°C cryoprobe applied to the palpebral conjunctiva, with hair then epilated were retrospectively studied. The patient signalment, distichiae locations, concurrent ocular diseases, recurrences, complications, and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: The mean (std dev) age at the time of diagnosis and treatment was 2.2 years (2.8 years). All (15/15) cats were of the domestic shorthair (DSH) breed. Concurrent ocular findings at the initial examination were observed in 17/27 (63%) eyes, with upper lateral eyelid hypoplasia the most prevalent, present in 9/27 (33.3%) eyes. Recurrence of distichiae occurred in 8/27 (29.6%) eyes. The clinical presentation in the instances of recurrence was judged as asymptomatic and not of a clinical concern in 3/27 (11.1%) eyes, with a second procedure deemed necessary to alleviate symptoms in 5/27 (18.5%) eyes. All eyes treated with a second procedure had no recurrence of distichiae or symptoms. Complications following cryoepilation occurred in 4/27 (14.8%) eyes, with two cats developing bilateral entropion post-procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of distichiasis in cats utilizing cryoepilation was effective at alleviating symptoms, though some cats needed a second procedure. The development of post-procedural entropion was seen occasionally.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38424032/