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Entropion Repair

(Eyelashes Rolling Inward)

Click for Detailed Written Explanation About Entropion Repair

WHAT CAN CAUSE THE NEED FOR LOWER EYELID SURGERY?

With age, the skin, muscles and tendons of the lower eyelid can sag and droop. In addition, the fat that surrounds and cushions the eyeball can bulge forward through the skin of the lower lids. As the tendons of the lower lid sag, the lower lid can invert and turn inward with the lashes rubbing the eyeball. This can lead to tearing, mucous discharge (mattering), crusting of the eyelashes and scratching of the cornea.

HOW WILL EYELID SURGERY AFFECT MY VISION OR APPEARANCE?

The results of entropion repair depend upon each patient’s symptoms, unique anatomy, appearance goals, and ability to adapt to changes. By correcting the laxity issues of the lower lid causing the lashes to roll inward, the surgery typically improves tearing and mucous discharge as well as the foreign body sensation that is caused by lashes rubbing the eye. Entropion repair does not improve blurred vision caused by problems inside the eye, or by visual loss caused by neurological disease behind the eye.

Because saggy in-turned eyelids are typically consequences of aging, most patients feel that entropion repair improves the appearance of the eye as they are not red all the time.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR RISKS?

Risks of entropion repair include but are not limited to: bleeding, infection, an asymmetric or unbalanced appearance, scarring, difficulty closing the eyes (which may cause damage to the underlying corneal surface), double vision, tearing or dry eye problems, inability to wear contact lenses, numbness and/or tingling near the eye or on the face, and, in rare cases, loss of vision. You may need additional treatment or surgery to treat these issues. Due to individual differences in anatomy, response to surgery, and wound healing, no guarantees can be made as to your final result.

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?

You may be willing to live with the symptoms and appearance of droopy saggy lower lids with tearing, red eyes and mucous discharge and decide not to have surgery on your lids at this time.

WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS USED? WHAT ARE THE MAJOR RISKS?

Most lid surgeries are done with “local” anesthesia (lidocaine or novocaine), that is, injections around the eye to numb the area. You may also receive sedation from a needle placed into a vein in your arm or pills taken before surgery. Deeper anesthesia can be provided if the patient wishes but most do very well with light sedation. Risks of anesthesia include but are not limited to damage to the eye and surrounding tissue and structures, loss of vision, breathing problems, and, in extremely rare circumstances, stroke or death.

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