• Chows are particularly susceptible to Entropion.black/blue tongued chow chow image by Scrivener from Fotolia.com
  
  Entropion in dogs is a condition where the eyelids roll inward, particularly the lower eyelids, according to PetPlace.com. Hair on the affected eyelids constantly rubs against the cornea and causes substantial eye irritation. Entropion is usually hereditary, though dogs can acquire it anytime during their lives. Other conditions that may accompany entropion are abnormal eyelashes, corneal ulcers and scarring.
  
  

Mild Symptoms

• Mild symptoms of entropion include tearing, redness and eyelid twitching, according to PetWave.com. The dog's eyes may exhibit these symptoms particularly in the morning, accompanied by an eye discharge and crusting of the eyelid. Consult your veterinarian about an artificial tears product or ointment, or about an eye patch for your dog at night to help retain moisture and perhaps lessen the severity of morning irritation.
  
  

Severe Symptoms

• Severe symptoms of entropion include thick, heavy skin around the eyelids, swollen eyes and thicker, pussier and bloody discharge, says PetWave.com. Unfortunately, these conditions cause the dog great difficulty in opening its eyes because of the pain, especially in bright sunlight, resulting in depression and anger. The most severe cases of entropion produce constant overwhelming pain, along with ulcerated corneas that could rupture and blind the dog.
  
  

Acquired Entropion

• Aquired entropion happens as a result of trauma to the dog's eye and is more common in older dogs. If your dog has experienced any kind of injury to its eyelid, has a chronic eye infection or loses a significant amount of weight or muscle tone around its face due to old age, your dog could develop acquired entropion, according to PetWave.com.
  
  

Susceptible Breeds

• Breeds that have distinct amounts of folding or fur around the eyes are more likely to carry or develop entropion. These breeds include chow chows, shar-peis, Norwegian elkhounds, boxers, rottweilers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, maltese, pointers, retrievers, English bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese, miniature and toy poodles, Yorkshire terriers, mastiffs, St. Bernards and Newfoundlands, says PetWave.com.
  
  

Correcting Entropion

• The only way to correct entropion is through surgery, says PetPlace.com. One surgical technique is to insert sutures in the dog's eyelids to pull them outward and tack them to the skin to prevent eye damage as a puppy grows into an adult dog. Another more permanent method is to remove the skin near the edge of the eyelid to keep fur from irritating the eye.