Why do cats have inner eyelids?

Cats, as well as many other species of animals, have an additional eyelid that
function as a helping structure for lubrication and protection of eyes against dirt, water,
sun, etc., depending on the species. In cats, this additional eyelid is called palpebra
tertia, or more commonly known as nictitating membrane, the third eyelid, or haw. This
membrane is a relevant structure for the cat for it maintains the health of the animals
eye.

The structure for the cats third eyelid is quite complex. The third eyelid is a
tissue folded, covered by a specialized mucous membrane named as the conjunctiva.
This tissue faces the inner surface of the eyelids, the palpebral surface, on one side and
the bulbar surface on the other side which is the cornea. A dense area of lymphoid
follicles are in contact with the surface of the eye and a thin layer of liquid known as the
tear film. These structures are embedded in the bulbar surface and they function as the
lymph nodes of the eye.

A dense T-shaped cartilage plate that is placed between the two layers of the
conjunctiva stiffens the edge of the third eyelid and it is also curved to conform to the
corneal surface. An accessory lacrimal gland produces a substantial portion of the tear
film; this gland surrounds the T-cartilage. These structures function as protection and
lubrication for the eye of the cat.

The function for this third eyelid has been a questionable topic for some time now
but some people theorize it to be helpful in protecting the eye of a cat from injury as it
moves through tall grass or capture prey. For cats, the presence of the third eyelid
keeps the eye moisturized and healthy. When the cat is alert, the third eyelid is hidden
within the eye socket and only a tiny portion is visible from the inner corner of the eye.
On the other hand, when the cat is relaxed, the third eyelid moves passively across the
ocular surface from the inner, lower corner of the eye to upper, outer corner.

Aside from keeping the eye healthy, the third eyelid can help heal the cats eye if
it is injured. If one of its third eyelids covers the eye more often than the other, it is most
likely a sign of infection. On a lighter note, the third eyelid can easily shield the eye from
certain objects that can cause injury for the eye of the cat.

Other species of animals evolved into having a third eyelid as well. As for some
mammals such as humans and other primates, they lack the development of the third
eyelid. However, if we look closely at the inside corner our eyes, we will notice a small
pink tissue that is an evolutionary vestige of the third eyelid. Perhaps species like ours
do not need the third eyelid because there is really not much use for it. Although, the
exact reason for the lack of the third eyelid in certain species is still unknown.

References:
Cheprasov, A. (2013). Why do cats have an extra eyelid? Retrieved November 13,
2016, from http://gurumagazine.org/askaguru/why-do-cats-have-an-extra-eyelid/
Lafer, D. (2011). That Mysterious Third Eyelid. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from
 http://felinedocs.com/dr-diana-lafer/that-mysterious-third-eyelid/
Miller, P. (2006). Why do cats have an inner eyelid as well as outer ones? Retrieved
November 13, 2016, from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-cats-have-an-inner/
Nichol, J. (2016). The Third Eyelid : Dr. Jeff Nichol. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from
http://www.drjeffnichol.com/?p=3350

Article Title: Why do cats have an inner eyelid as well as outer ones?
Link: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-cats-have-an-inner/

(first page of the article):

Veterinarian Paul Miller of the University of Wisconsin-Madison explains.
The inner eyelid of cats--more properly called the palpebra tertia but also known as the
nictitating membrane, third eyelid or "haw"--has been regarded by some as a biological
curiosity much like the human appendix or wisdom teeth. In fact, some veterinary
articles in the early 1900s describe methods for removing this supposedly irrelevant
structure so as to facilitate examination of the eye. Despite these perceptions, the third
eyelid of cats plays an important role in maintaining the health of their eye surface. In
fact, it is so important that among mammals and birds the norm is for a species to have
a third eyelid and those lacking one--such as humans and some of our fellow
primates--are the true oddities in nature.

The anatomy of the third eyelid is complex. It is a fold of tissue covered by a specialized
mucous membrane (the conjunctiva) that faces the inner surface of the eyelids
(palpebral surface) on one side and the cornea on the other side (bulbar surface).
Embedded in the bulbar surface is a dense population of lymphoid follicles that are in
contact with the surface of the eye and the tear film, a thin layer of liquid. These
structures function as the lymph nodes of the eye, trapping unwanted dirt and detritus.
Between the two layers of conjunctiva is a dense T-shaped cartilage plate. The crossbar
of this T cartilage stiffens the free edge of the third eyelid and is also curved so as to
conform to the corneal surface. The stem of the T cartilage is surrounded by an
accessory lacrimal gland, which produces a substantial portion of the tear film. The tiny
ducts through which tears leave the gland of the third eyelid exit between the lymphoid
follicles on the surface of the third eyelid, allowing these cells to dump their contents
into the tear film and be widely distributed over the surface of the eye.