Eyelid Malposition

Entropion

Entropion is a condition in which the lower or upper eyelid flips in toward the eyeball and causes irritation due to lashes touching the eye. This condition can be quite bothersome, and if left untreated, can cause problems with scarring, infection or vision loss.

Most of the time, entropion is caused by laxity or loosening of tissue due to aging.

Entropion can be corrected most of the time by a surgical procedure to help turn the eyelid back out and into the correct position to alleviate the irritation and prevent any complications. This procedure is done most commonly as an outpatient surgery, often using “twilight” sedation and a local anesthetic.

Ectropion

Ectropion is a condition in which the lower eyelid will turn away or sag from the eyeball. This can cause exposure of the delicate tissue of the eyelid and can result in excessive tearing, dryness or discharge from the eye. It may also cause the eyelid to look very red and inflamed.

Ectropion is most commonly caused by laxity or loosing of the tissue due to aging but can also be caused by scarring, trauma or facial nerve paralysis or damage (such as with a Bell’s palsy).

Entropion can be corrected most of the time by a surgical procedure to help turn the eyelid back in and into the correct position to alleviate the symptoms and prevent any complications. This procedure is done most commonly as an outpatient surgery, often using “twilight” sedation and a local anesthetic.

Retraction

Retraction is a condition in which the upper eyelid is “too far up” or the lower eyelid is “too far down”. Retraction is evident when the sclera, or the white part of the eye, is visible above or below the iris (colored part of the eye).

Eyelid retraction may change how a person looks but also can cause symptoms such as tearing, irritation or dryness of the eye.

Retraction may be caused by a number of different conditions including thyroid eye disease, scarring, trauma, or facial nerve paralysis or damage (such as with a Bell’s palsy).

Eyelid retraction can most often be corrected by a surgical procedure. Your surgeon will determine the best approach or method for retraction repair. The procedure is done most commonly as an outpatient surgery, often using “twilight” sedation and a local anesthetic.