ENTROPION

ENTROPION – TURNING INWARDS OF THE EYELID

The eyelids can cause problems if they are not positioned correctly against the eyeball. In addition to protection, the eyelids help to lubricate the surface of the eye during blinking and assist with tear drainage. When the eyelid turns in towards the eye, it is called an Entropion of the lid. This results in painful rubbing of the eyelashes against the eyeball. Most commonly, this occurs due to ageing of the eyelid tissues with the eyelid rolling in against the eye during blinking.

This can usually be corrected with an operation to tighten the eyelid and reposition it correctly away from the eyeball. This can be carried out either in the theatre at our Golden Beach surgery or at a Day Hospital, using a fully sterile technique and under local anesthetic injected into the lid.

Following surgery, it is advisable for you to have someone to drive you home.

Stitches remain in the eyelid for 7 – 10 days. You will be given some antibiotic ointment to put in the eye for a week or so after the operation. There may be some discomfort at the wound site, or scratchy feeling on the eyeball near the wound. Take Panadol as required.

Complications are extremely uncommon. The most frequent problems are:- a slightly notched appearance in the eyelid margin or some residual inturning of the lid. Rarely, infection or an allergy to the anesthetic may occur.

If you have any problems or queries, please don’t hesitate to call the Clinic on (07) 5492 2822.