What is it?

Eyelids have a fundamental mission in protecting the eye. The eyelids are essential elements and any change in their position can lead to a bad eye protection, altering the ocular surface and causing visual impairment. One of the eyelids main malposition is entropion.

An entropion occurs where an eyelid turns inwards towards the eyeball. Usually affects the lower eyelid, but may also occur on the upper eyelid.

Entropion is classified according to its aetiology in congenital, cicatricial, spastic, involutional or senile.

Symptoms

In entropion the eyelid margin loses its normal alignment with the eye. The lid is rotated inward (toward the eyeball) so that the eyelashes continuously contact with the cornea, causing chronic eye irritation, pain and tearing. In addition, the constant rubbing of the eyelashes with the cornea can create serious problems as erosions or ulcers, and an itching very uncomfortable to the patient.

Treatment

Treatment of eyelid malposition, including entropion, is surgical, depending on the severity. They are usually interventions with good prognosis, and are usually performed under local anaesthesia, except in the case of children, which are operated under general anaesthesia.

Prevention

Surgery is usually very effective in restoring the appearance and operation of these malpositioned eyelids. It is important that all patients are assessed by ophthalmologists specialists in this pathology when palpebral alterations occur.