Entropion Surgery

What is Entropion?

Entropionis a condition in which your eyelid turns inward so that your eyelashes and skin rub against the eye surface. This causes irritation and discomfort.
When you have entropion, your eyelid may be turned in all the time or only when you blink hard or squeeze your eyelids shut. Entropion is more common in older adults, and it generally affects only the lower eyelid.
Artificial tears and lubricating ointments can help relieve symptoms of entropion. But usually surgery is needed to fully correct the condition. Left untreated, entropion can cause damage to the transparent covering in the front part of your eye (cornea), eye infections and vision loss.

Entropion Surgery

The type of surgery you have depends on the condition of the tissue surrounding your eyelid and on the cause of your entropion.
If your entropion is age related, your surgeon will likely remove a small part of your lower eyelid. This helps tighten the affected tendons and muscles. You’ll have a few stitches on the outside corner of your eye or just below your lower eyelid.
If you have scar tissue on the inside of your lid or have had trauma or previous surgeries, your surgeon may use a mucous membrane graft using tissue from the roof of your mouth or nasal passages.
Before surgery you’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb your eyelid and the area around it. You may be lightly sedated to make you more comfortable, depending on the type of procedure you’re having and whether it’s done in an outpatient surgical clinic.
After surgery you might need to:

• Use an antibiotic ointment on your eye for one week
• Use cold compresses periodically to decrease bruising and swelling

After surgery you will likely experience:

• Temporary swelling
• Bruising on and around your eye

Your eyelid might feel tight after surgery. But as you heal it will become more comfortable. Stitches are usually removed about a week after surgery. You can expect the swelling and bruising to fade in about two weeks.