Entropion: what are its symptoms, causes and treatment

Entropion is a disorder in which the eyelid turns inward, causing the eyelashes and skin to rub against the surface of the eye. This causes irritation and discomfort.

With entropion, the eyelid may be turned all the time or only when blinking or squeezing the eyelids. Entropion is more common in older people and usually only affects the lower eyelid.

Artificial tears and lubricating ointments can help relieve symptoms of entropion. However, surgery is usually required to completely correct the disorder. If left untreated, entropion can cause damage to the transparent coating on the front of the eye (cornea), eye infections, and loss of vision.

Signs and symptoms of entropion occur when your eyelashes and outer eyelid rub against the surface of your eye. You might feel the following:

Sensation of having something in the eye Redness of the eyes Irritation or pain in the eyes Sensitivity to light and wind Lacrimation (excessive tearing) Mucous discharge and crusts on the eyelids

Seek immediate medical attention if you have been diagnosed with entropion and experience any of the following symptoms:

Rapidly increasing redness in the eyes Pain Sensitivity to light Decreasing vision

These are signs and symptoms of corneal damage, which can damage vision.

Consult your doctor if you constantly feel like you have something in your eye or if you notice that some of your eyelashes seem to be turning towards your eye. If you don’t treat entropion for too long, it can cause permanent damage to your eye. Start using artificial tears and lubricating eye ointments to protect the eye before your appointment.

Factors that increase the risk of entropion include the following:

Age.

The chances of developing the disease increase with age.

Previous burns or trauma.

If you have suffered a burn or other facial injury, the scar tissue may put you at higher risk for entropion.

Trachoma.

Since trachoma can scar the inner eyelids, people who have had this infection are more likely to have entropion.

Entropion can usually be diagnosed through an eye exam and a routine physical exam. The doctor may pull on your eyelid during the exam or ask you to blink or close your eyes. This helps you assess the position of the eyelid in relation to the eye, as well as the muscle tone and tension of the eyelids.

If the entropion is due to scar tissue, previous surgery, or other conditions, the doctor will also examine surrounding tissue.

The therapeutic approach depends on the cause of the entropion. Non-surgical treatments are available to relieve symptoms and protect the eye from damage.

When inflammation or active infection causes entropion (spastic entropion), the eyelid can return to normal alignment by treating the inflamed or infected eye. But if tissue scarring has occurred, the entropion may persist even after the other condition has been treated.

Surgery is usually needed to completely correct entropion, but short-term solutions can be helpful if you can’t tolerate surgery or need to delay it.

Soft contact lens.

Your eye doctor may suggest that you wear a type of soft contact lens like a kind of corneal bandage to help relieve symptoms. These are available with or without a refractive prescription.

Botox.

OnabotulinumtoxinA (botox) injected in small amounts into the lower eyelid can turn the eyelid. You may receive a series of injections, the effects of which last for up to six months.

Sutures that push the eyelid out. This procedure can be performed in the doctor’s office under local anesthesia. After numbing the eyelid, your doctor places several stitches in specific places along the affected eyelid.

The stitches turn the eyelid outward and the resulting scar tissue keeps it in place even after the stitches are removed. After several months, the eyelid may turn inward. Therefore, this technique is not a long-term solution.

Strip of skin.

A special transparent skin strip can be applied to the eyelid to prevent it from turning inwards.

The type of surgery you perform depends on the condition of the tissue surrounding the eyelid and the cause of the entropion.

If your entropion is age-related, your surgeon will likely remove a small portion of your lower eyelid. This helps tighten the affected tendons and muscles. You will receive stitches in the outer corner of your eye or just below your lower eyelid.

If you have scar tissue on the inside of your eyelid or have had previous trauma or surgery, your surgeon may perform a mucous membrane transplant using tissue from the roof of your mouth or nostrils.

Before surgery, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb your eyelid and the area around it. You may be lightly sedated to make yourself more comfortable, depending on the type of procedure you are having and whether it is performed in an outpatient surgical clinic.

After surgery, you may need:

Using antibiotic ointment on the eye for a week Periodic use of cold compresses to reduce bruising and swelling

After surgery, the following is likely to happen to you:

Temporary swelling Bruising in and around the eye

You may feel the eyelid tight after the surgery. But as you heal, he will feel more comfortable. The stitches are usually removed about a week after surgery. The swelling and bruising should go away in about two weeks.