Oculoplastic · Eyelid Malpositions
When the eyelid margin turns the wrong way - outward or inward - it stops doing its job of protecting and lubricating the eye. Both conditions are very treatable with a relatively straightforward day-case procedure.
Available at Kelsall Surgical Centre, Cheshire, and iSIGHT Clinic, Southport.
Ectropion
Ectropion is an outward-turning, sagging lower eyelid that no longer sits against the eye. It exposes the inner eyelid surface and the eye itself to air, causing watering, redness, irritation and - if left untreated - dryness and damage to the cornea. It's most often caused by age-related loosening of the tissues that support the eyelid, though scarring, previous surgery or facial nerve weakness can also be responsible.
Entropion
Entropion is the opposite problem: the eyelid margin - and often the eyelashes with it - rolls inward against the eye. Lashes rubbing on the eye surface cause grittiness, redness and watering, and over time can scratch and damage the cornea. It's most commonly caused by age-related lid tissue laxity, but can also follow scarring or eyelid spasm.
Why Treat It
Both conditions are primarily functional problems - the eyelid's job is to protect and lubricate the eye, and when it can't do that properly, the eye surface is at risk. Left untreated for long periods, either condition can lead to persistent irritation, infection or, in more severe entropion, corneal scarring that affects vision.
Most cases are corrected by tightening the horizontal laxity of the eyelid - commonly a lateral tarsal strip procedure - restoring the lid to its correct position against the eye. Surgery is typically performed as a day case under local anaesthetic.
Most patients experience mild bruising and swelling for one to two weeks, with a return to normal daily activities within a few days. Sutures, where used, are typically removed at a follow-up visit around one to two weeks after surgery.
Costs vary between Kelsall Surgical Centre and iSIGHT Clinic, and depend on the complexity of your case. After your consultation you'll receive a clear, itemised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Book an assessment before the eye surface is affected.