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Entropion Repair

Entropion is when the eyelid is turned in and the lashes touch the eye. This can occur due to a variety of conditions, however, stretching of the eyelid tendons from age is the most common reason entropion occurs. When entropion results in lashes touching the cornea, patients typically find the eye to be red, tearing, and irritated. Additionally, lashes constantly rubbing on the surface of the eye can lead to breakdown of the eye surface and infection.

 

Entropion repair is a surgical means of rotating the eyelid to turn away from the eyelid. It can be done by various techniques. Often, tightening of the stretched tendons in the lower and upper lids can assist with correction of the underlying problem. Dissolvable sutures are placed to hold the eyelid into position, which are broken down as the body takes over holding the support of the eyelid.

Entropion repair can be done in the office surgical suite under light sedation. Patients can return home immediately after the procedure and resume nearly all normal daily activities the very next day.

Patients are often bothered by tearing, mucus, irritating, and redness that occurs from the eyelid turning in. Even in patients without symptoms, eyelashes constantly touching the eye can produce damage to the ocular surface, impair vision, or lead to eye infections. Entropion repair corrects this problem to keep the eye safe and keep the patient feeling their best.

Dr. Sweeney and Dr. McDevitt are fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons – the only specialty in medicine focused on eyelid surgery. They have each done thousands of eyelid surgeries and perform entropion repair multiple times on a weekly basis. With this level of experience comes increased skill. Trust your eyelids to the experts and see an oculoplastic specialist for your eyelid surgery.

Entropion repair is usually covered by all insurances. Insurance companies generally recognize the risks of uncorrected entropion. Dr. McDevitt and Dr. Sweeney will evaluate you for the degree of entropion and perform standardized photography to help decide if you meet the criteria of your insurance company for an insurance-covered surgery.

After entropion repair, the eyelids may be bruised and swollen for 2 weeks. A small amount of swelling may last up to 6 weeks. Patients can return to their usual daily routine the day after surgery but should avoid lifting heavy items and submerging the wound in water for 2-3 weeks. There may be a small amount of pain or irritation on the eyes from the surgery which can be alleviated by taking the medications prescribed for you during your preoperative visit. You will be asked to use an antibiotic/steroid ointment after surgery. Ensuring to avoid rubbing the eyelids after surgery is very important.