Correction of the Outwards Turning Eyelid.
What is ectropion?
Ectropion is an eye problem in which the eyelid and the eyelashes turn outward. This can cause the sensitive skin lining the inside of the eyelid to dry out and become inflamed.
Entropion is often caused by aging. As people get older, the muscles that control the eyelids weaken and the eyelid can roll inwards. Other causes include scarring from previous infection or an injury to the nerves that control the muscles in the eyelids.
How it diagnosed?
At your consultation, Dr Bedi will perform muscle and nerve tests as well as check the health of your eye surface under the microscope. She will review your diagnosis and offer some treatment options. As an fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon, Dr Bedi is highly specialized in the management of this problem. We will guide you through this process and ensure that you eye health is preserved.
What are the symptoms?
When you have entropion, you may have:
- Red eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Eye pain
- Dry eye
- Blurry vision
- Watery eye or tears that may run down your face
- A feeling like there is something in your eye
- Trouble closing your eye completely
How is ectropion treated?
The treatment of entropion revolves around two major goals: eye protection and correction of eyelid position.
Eye protection: ectropion can expose the sensitive lining of the eyelid as well as the eye ball to dry environment. This can result in scarring of the eye surface, pain, redness, and vision loss. Make sure to use lubricating tear drops to relieve the symptoms and keep the surface of the eye moist. You can buy artificial tears without a prescription at your local pharmacy.
Correction of eyelid position: ectropion can result in scarring of the eye surface, pain and vision loss. Please read below for a few tips that might provide some temporary relief. At your consultation, Dr Bedi will review a few surgical options to help you achieve permanent relief from this issue.
- For temporary relief from your symptoms, apply a piece of paper tape vertically on your cheek to pull the lower lid up enough so that it does not turn outwards. Apply the tape about a centimeter from the lid margin with mild tension and secure the tape to the temple.
Can you share a before and after photo after ectropion repair?
Representative photo of a picture before (top photo) and after (bottom picture) ectropion repair surgery.