How can entropion affect your eyes?
Ask the doctor
Q. What is the treatment for entropion?
A. Entropion is a rolling inward of the eyelids. The lower lids are more likely to be affected than the upper lids. Entropion may not be visible when the eyes are open or gently closed. However, if entropion is present, the inward rolling will become more obvious by tightly closing the eyes.
Entropion can be very annoying. In addition to the cosmetic factor, the turned-in eyelashes can rub against the surface of the eye. This can cause
- redness and discomfort
- excessive tearing
- blurry vision.
Entropion usually occurs in elderly people, probably due to a relaxing of the tissues that hold the eyelid against the eye. In some cases, the condition is due to scarring of the inner tissues of the eyelid.
The definitive treatment is surgical. A variety of operations have been described to fix this problem. All are variations on one principle: they tighten the lid so that it flattens out.
The surgery is usually done in an outpatient setting. The success rate in improving the condition is high.
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About the Author
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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