for eyelid deformity: Ectropion / Entropion Surgery

What is ectropion?

Ectropion is the condition in which the eyelid turns outward (called an everted eyelid). This exposes the eyelid’s inner ocular surface to irritating particles like dust or dirt and makes the cornea vulnerable due to the rapid evaporation of lubricating tears. 

Over time, dry eyes can result in corneal abrasions and ulcers.

What is entropion? 

On the other hand, Entropion is a condition in which your eyelid (usually the lower lid) turns inward so that your eyelashes and skin rub against the cornea. The rubbing can be continuous or occur only during blinking or squeezing the eye shut. 

Continual rubbing is dangerous because it can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring, and even vision loss. Not to mention that it’s very uncomfortable and, in extreme cases, downright painful.

Symptoms of ectropion and entropion can include:

• The formation of crusts along the eyelid margin
• Mucus discharge from the eyes
• Watery eyes, excess tearing, or inadequate tear drainage
• Corneal dryness, redness, and irritation
• Vision changes
• Sensitivity to light and sensitivity
• Eye Infections (conjunctivitis)
• Previous surgeries on the eyelids (blepharoplasty)

Some additional symptoms of entropion include sensitivity to wind and a foreign body sensation in the eye.

What causes ectropion and ectropion?  

 Not surprisingly, the causes of entropion and ectropion are similar: 

• Age-related laxity of the soft tissues and muscles (including the orbicularis oculi muscle) of the eyelids (this is the most common type of ectropion)
• Scar tissue within the inner surface of the upper or lower eyelid
• Infection, tumor, or injury involving the eyelid

What are the treatment options for ectropion and entropion?

There are several treatments available for entropion and ectropion, and your doctor’s recommendations will be based on the degree and severity of your condition. 

Treatments can include eye drop lubricants (artificial tears) and lubricating ointments to temporarily relieve eye irritation or applying skin tape to support the eyelid in the normal position temporarily. Botox might be injected in certain instances to relax a tight eyelid muscle temporarily. 

Sometimes surgical treatment is required to repair stretched muscles or tendons, insert a skin graft or flap (rarely), or address tearing problems. Ectropion and entropion repair surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia and intravenous sedation.

Recovering from ectropion and entropion surgical correction 

Post-op bruising typically occurs, but it generally subsides completely within two to three weeks. Swelling can take up to 4 weeks, although this time varies depending on the skills of your surgeon and the individual patients. 

If dissolving stitches are not used, stitches will usually be removed in the clinic at your two-week follow-up visit. Contact lenses are not permitted for several weeks following surgery.

The results are visible in about four months.

Why Choose AGEI for your eyelid surgery? 

Your eyes are one of the most delicate structures in your body. That’s why, when you’re looking for a Los Angeles area surgeon to correct the appearance or function of your eyelids and the structures surrounding your eyes, you want to seek an oculoplastic surgeon.

As trained ophthalmologists with a sub-specialty in oculoplastic surgery, Dr. Adeleh Yarmohammadi (known as "Dr. Adele") and Dr. Rafi Israel can thoroughly examine your eyes, understand any underlying eye disease, and identify potential problems that might impact the surgical plan -- things that even a board-certified facial plastic surgeon is not trained to do.

We have decades of experience treating functional eye problems affecting patients’ vision and eye health. He has performed thousands of cosmetic procedures, including revisions of surgeries performed elsewhere with unsatisfactory outcomes. 

Among the conditions we treat are excess eyelid skin or fat, drooping eyelids, wrinkles around the eyes, eyelid reconstruction after tumor removal or eye injuries, excessive tearing, revising prior unsatisfactory eyelid surgeries, and abnormally turned in (entropion) or turned out (ectropion) lid margins. 

If you would like to schedule a consultation with us in our Beverly Hills office to discuss your concerns about the appearance or function of your eyelids and to learn what treatments might be right for you, please call 866-945-2745 or click here to request an appointment online.

Assil Gaur Eye Institute is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.

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