What is the name of the third eyelid?
What Is the Third Eyelid? The third eyelid (also called nictitating membrane, plica semilunaris or palpebra tertia) works as an extra protective layer of the eyes. It’s quite thin and has the color of white or light pink.
Is it normal for a cat to have a third eyelid?
Although it isn’t commonly spotted, you might notice some secretions between the eye and the outer eyelids when your cat is half asleep. As they wake up, a cat’s third eyelid showing as they begin to open their eyes is normal. However, it should not be visible once open, awake and alert.
What does it mean when a cat has one eyelid showing but not the other?
As a note, if a cat’s inner eyelid is showing in one eye and not the other, it is still a cause for concern. It may imply a problem on one side of the body, but it still means there is an issue which needs resolving.
What Is the Third Eyelid? The third eyelid (also called nictitating membrane, plica semilunaris or palpebra tertia) works as an extra protective layer of the eyes. It’s quite thin and has the color of white or light pink.
Although it isn’t commonly spotted, you might notice some secretions between the eye and the outer eyelids when your cat is half asleep. As they wake up, a cat’s third eyelid showing as they begin to open their eyes is normal. However, it should not be visible once open, awake and alert.
As a note, if a cat’s inner eyelid is showing in one eye and not the other, it is still a cause for concern. It may imply a problem on one side of the body, but it still means there is an issue which needs resolving.
When to worry about eyelid problems in older people?
Ectropion. This condition occurs when the muscles of the lower lid weaken, making the lid sag and turn outward, away from the eyeball. As a result, the upper and lower lids no longer meet when the eye is closed, and the eye may tear excessively. The constantly exposed cornea and conjunctiva may become red and irritated.
