2 week premature kittens

Question
My sisters cat just had kittens (two weeks premature). 3 were still born, 3 are critical and 4 are doing alright. All survivors are in the vets care at the moment. She claims that none of them have eyelids as they hadn't developed yet. Could this be true? If so, do you know what a vet may typically do to care for exposed eyes? (She tells stories so I was skeptical when I heard they had no eyelids) I also can't find ANYTHING about this online.

Answer
Hi Steph, thank you for such an interesting question ! The kittens should have eyelids as this is one of the things that develops early, so even at 2 weeks premature they should have eyelids there. Before they are born the eyelids fuse shut to protect the eyes when the kittens are newborn so it sounds like these kittens may have been born before this happened..??
It is possible they have eyeleds but they are just not using them??? At birth kittens should have their eyelids fused shut and won't normally have their eyelids opened at this age. Kittens are 7-10 days old before the eyelids even open.
It is possible there was a developmental problem with the kittens if they actually DO NOT have eyelids. It would be like a child that did not develop limbs properly because of thalidomide interrupting the in utero development of the fetus. There has been some concern with cortisone causing eyelid formation deformities, so perhaps she had some medication when she was pregnant?? Are there any other 'oddities' with the kittens ??such as fused toes etc?
Just a few more comments also..even though it is not specific to your question.  That is a very large litter! and if the kittens are indeed  2 weeks premature then it is unlikely they will live. I am surprised you say some of them are doing well. I would suspect your friend is either off on her cats due date.. OR the cat has been bred by more than one male at different times causing a split litter with some kittens that are slightly more advanced then the others. A cats gestation is only 9 weeks in total so to be early by 2 weeks would be the equivalent to a human being early 2 months. So, that is very early and in veterinary medicine there is not the equipment and intervention available that we have with premature babies to help them along when they are born so early. I would be interested to hear more about these kittens and how they progress.. and even some pictures ! Teresa