Third eye lid growing over eye ball

[Gg]

Hi all, I just recently noticed within the last two days that my ferret Jambi is getting what seems like a film taking over her eye ball, along with watery eyes. It took me forever to find what exactly this is called, and it’s a peer reviewed submission by one woman and can’t seem to find much else. I’ll post the snippet of her study on the specific corneal disease Jambi is experiencing at the end of this post. It includes a photo of what I’m talking about.
My last ferret, Appa, was diagnosed with glaucoma and had this same thing but looking up glaucoma, I don’t see pictures of this third eye lid growing over the eye ball.. only blue cloudiness in the retina, which makes me wonder if he was misdiagnosed.
We have an appointment to get her checked out with the vet but don’t want the vet to chuck this up to glaucoma if it’s something else. Has anyone else seen this and if so, what do you recommend to heal her?
Her eyes aren’t swollen and there are no other symptoms than being extra tired and she seems very depressed.
Thanks in advance for all the help!
Here’s the link:

europepmc.org/articles/PMC7110472/figure/fig5/

[unclejoe]

hi. couple questions: is this 3rd eyelid always present and expanding? Is it only one eye?
the image you posted looks like a nictitating membrane, which is also know as a third eyelid. ferrets, kats and many other critters have them. This video by a vet explains them. They help spread moisture and clean the eye. If this membrane doesn't retract I would suspect some sort of issues with the muscle that controls it.

[Gg]

It’s both eyes which the vet said that’s unusual for both. We tried an eye stain and used a tool that measures pressure, both came out normal, which is good! No tumors or cysts at least. She didn’t recommend an X-ray saying they’re heads are too small and it wouldn’t be a good reading. For now, we’re doing eye drops twice a day. Its a cream mixed with Neomycin, polymyxim B sulfates and dexamethasone.

[Gg]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that it grew from just her corner to her inner eye. Her pupils are constantly pinpoint which means she’s in pain poor baby. Swelling of her eyes just a tad. The third eye hasn’t shrunk but also isn’t growing! I just applied the cream for the third time so far so hopefully it goes down soon 🤞

[unclejoe]

I hope the treatment works.

[Gg]

It is! It’s slowly going down 🙌☺️ Thank you!

[unclejoe]

Good news! keep up the tx

[Gg]

Just an update to whoever needs help with the same thing: jambis third eye lid never fully went down. The steroid eye drops stopped the inflammation a little. just finished our second two week trial of the steroid eye drops and her eyes are still the same. /:

[unclejoe]

hmm sorry to hear that. thanks for the update.
try this group
[e-mail] formerly known as ferret mailing list.
there are some very knowledgeable people there. you may have to be approved, but you can post a question and should get responses.

[Gg]

Thank you Unclejoe so much for the link to that website. I had so many people respond (scary stories) but a ton of really great information that’s allowed us to take the next steps. I started her right away on CBD and got reishi and miataki mushroom extract for her immune system. Still taking pred eye drops and waiting on some new meds for her, prednisolone, gabapentin, sulcrafte abd another one I can’t remember the name of. I pick those up tomorrow. Still not sure what’s causing it all but here’s the link if anyone that runs into this wants to follow.
groups.io/g/ferrethealth/topic/nictating_membrane_or/98115807?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate/sticky,,,20,2,0,98115807,previd%3D1680887124279524289,nextid%3D1655859408652165165&previd=1680887124279524289&nextid=1655859408652165165

I can’t thank you enough 🙏🙏🙏

[unclejoe]

you're very welcome. I've been following