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Entropion
Entropion (turning in of the eyelid) is the term used to describe rolling inward of the eyelid. It is important to have an entropion fixed before permanent damage to the eye occurs.
What is an Entropion?
Once turned in, the eyelid and eyelashes rub against the eye, usually causing significant irritation, redness, watering, and sensitivity to light and wind. If left untreated, chronic entropion can cause infection, corneal scarring and loss of vision.
What Causes Entropion?
Entropion most commonly results from ageing changes causing tissues to stretch and the eyelid to loosen and turn in. Injuries, scarring, inflammatory conditions and eyelid tumours can also result in entropion.
Treatment of Entropion
It is important to have an entropion fixed before permanent damage to the eye occurs. Temporary treatment measures include taping the lower lid to mechanically evert the lid and Botox injections to weaken the eyelid muscle that contributes to the in-turn. These can be considered prior to surgery or in patients who are not well enough for surgery.
Definitive treatment of entropion requires surgical repair. Most commonly, the eyelid is tightened at the outside corner of the eye and the retractor muscles are tightened to restore and stabilise the eyelid to its normal position. A thin suture will run along the incision line which is removed 10 – 14 days post operatively.
The surgery is performed as a day procedure under local anaesthetic and sedation, and typically takes between 45 and 60 minutes. Entropion surgery often results in rapid resolution of the eyelid malposition. In the vast majority of cases, after the eyelid has healed the small scar from this minimally invasive procedure should barely be noticeable. The eye will feel comfortable and should be protected.
What to Expect During Recovery from Entropion Surgery?
- Bruising and swelling can be expected for up to 2-6 weeks post operatively. This is a normal part of the post-operative recovery and invariably settles in time.
- Itch along the incision site can occur and usually resolves with removal of sutures
- A gritty feeling to the eyes post-surgery is normal, particularly in the first 2 weeks
- Your vision may be slightly blurred for the first week post surgery
- You may notice some tenderness around the outside corner of the eyelid as a deep suture is placed here. This usually settles with time.
- Sutures will be removed 7 – 14 days post operatively
Possible Risks of Entropion Surgery
In general entropion surgery is very safe, however as with all surgery certain risks and complications can occur:
- Although uncommon there is a small chance of excess scarring, bruising, swelling, or wound infection.
- There may be some asymmetry of the contour of the lids
- Very rarely over or under correction of the entropion can occur that may require further surgery
- Entropion can recur over time
- Although there is a theoretical risk of vision loss and double vision, this is incredibly rare but has been reported in the medical literature.
Outcome of Ectropion surgery
Our surgeons have extensive experience and expertise in entropion surgery utilising minimally invasive techniques that reduce both scarring and healing time. Post operatively it is helpful to expect an improvement in symptoms and appearance of the lids with a natural look that is not overdone.
Want to know more about entropion surgery? At Northern Sydney Cataract, we are here to help!
If you have specific questions, please call our friendly staff on 02 9958 0552 or email us at info@nscataract.com.au
For appointments and enquiries, please phone 02 9958 0552
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
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