Entropion of the Eyelid or Inverted Lower Eyelid : Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Risk Factors, Complications, Prevention

Entropion is disorder with the eyelid in which eyelashes of the human eyelid that cover the eye tends to fold inwards and this usually happens to the lower eyelid. This makes eyelashes to rub against the delicate covering of the eye balls causing discomfort and irritation in the eye. Entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid is more seen in older adults as compared to children. This turning of eyelid may be a permanent condition or might only occur when you close your eyelid intentionally or blink. This condition does not get well on its own but requires a surgery for correcting the position of eyelid. Lubricating oils can be used to get temporary relief. If this condition is not treated in time, it can get worse and lead to severe consequences such as damage to cornea, loss of vision or infection in eye.

There are various factors that can cause Entropion Eyelid or inverted lower eyelid. They are as follows:

• Weakening of eye muscle with age can cause entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid. As a person grows older, the eye muscles starts to get weaker causing the tendons to become loose. It is one of the primary reasons for the occurrence of entropion.
• Distortion in the natural curve of the eye lid can also lead to entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid. It can occur as a result of a surgery, trauma or chemical burn causing a scar.
• Another cause for entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid is infection in eye. There is a particular eye infection known as trachoma that can also cause this type of eye disorder. It can even cause permanent eye blindness. This infection is very common in Latin American, African and Asian countries.
• Rubbing of eyes in case of any inflammation or drying of eyes can also make the eyelid to turn inwards and result into entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid.

Entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid in babies is a congenital eye disorder that is caused due to the presence of an extra layer of skin in the eyelid that tends to fold back. It is a type of development related complication in babies during the womb.

The most prominent can the clear signs of entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid are the rubbing of eye lashes against the transparent outer covering of the eye balls called as cornea. A person can feel clear irritation on the surface of the eye. Some other symptoms of entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid are as follows:

• Feeling as if something is stuck on the surface of your eyes is a major symptom of entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid.
• Eye turning red due to irritation.
• Irritation in eye associated with pain.
• Vulnerability of eye to light or wind.
• Presence of tears in the eyes.
• Discharge of Mucous from the eyes.
• Partial loss in vision.

Diagnosis of entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid is not very difficult and does not require any special tests. A doctor or an specialist can detect this condition by simply observing the eye. A physical examination of the eye where the doctor looks at the way your eyelid covers your eye when you blink is also used to detect this condition. In case of any injury or scar around the eye, the doctor tries to look at any abnormalities in the skin around the eye.

There are various treatment options for entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid and the choice depends on the condition that has caused it. The primary treatment for the condition involves non surgical methods to control the symptoms and make your eyelid work normally. Treatment of infection or inflammation causing entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid can provide temporary or permanent relief from entropion. If the condition persists, surgical treatment becomes the only option.

1. Non Surgical Methods to Treat Entropion of the Eyelid or Inverted Lower Eyelid

   There are various non-surgical treatment options for entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid that can provide temporary relief until you are not prepared for the surgery. Non-surgical treatment options for entropion are as follows:

   • Soft contact lens can help in treating entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid. Doctor may advice you wear a soft contact lens that prevents your eye from damage due to rubbing against eye lashes. These lens can be easily obtained without any need of prescription.
   • Injecting botox is another non surgical methods to treat entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid. Injection of Botox into the lower eyelid can prevent the eyelid from turning inwards and hold them outwards for as long as 6 months, if a series of Botox are injected.
   • There are also some special skin tapes that can be used to held the eyelid in its place, preventing it from turning inwards.

2. Surgery for Treating Entropion of the Eyelid or Inverted Lower Eyelid

   Surgical treatment is the permanent solution for entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid. The choice of the type of surgery is determined after the examination of the skin surrounding the eyelid and the cause of the disorder.

   One of the effective temporary treatments for entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid is stitching of eyelid to hold it outwards, preventing it from rubbing against the cornea. This treatment is carried out by experts under the effect of anesthesia in a medical facility. The eyelid tends to stay at its place permanently but may turn back inwards after some time. Thus, it is not a permanent solution for entropion.

   One of the common surgical treatments involves removal of a small portion of the lower eyelid to get rid of the extra skin that tends to occur with age. The removal of the skin is followed by stitching the corners of the eye lid to hold it at its place.

   The patient is given some sort of sedatives to help to make the surgery easier for the patient. Also, the local anesthesia is used to numb the area around the eye where the surgery is carried out. The patient is required to take special precautions after the surgery to allow the area to heal and prevent any chances of infections. The doctor recommends some special antibiotic ointment for eye that need to be used for about a week following the surgery. Swelling in the eye can be relieved by applying cold compress over the eye. It is common for a patient to have swelling in the eye after surgical treatment for entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid that will gradually reduce with time. The surgery may also leave a few bruises around the eye that heal gradually.

   The surgery would make your eyelid feel a bit tighter just after the surgery but you will get used to it with time as skin will expand to fit itself. The stitches takes about a week to before they can be removed. The bruises takes about a time of two weeks after the surgery to get normal.

It can be impossible to prevent entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid but some of the factors like trachoma infection that cause entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid can be prevented. You must take special care while visiting a place affected with trachoma infection and seek immediate attention in case of any signs of irritation or infection in eye.

Some of the factors can make a person more vulnerable to developing entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid such as:

• The chances of occurrence of entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid is higher in case of older people as compared to youth and children.
• If you have had any injury or scar in the past on your face, the risk of developing entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid increases due to distortion in the shape of the eyelid.
• A person who has had trachoma infection is more vulnerable to entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid as it leads to scar in the eye.

It is important to treat any symptoms of entropion of the eyelid or inverted lower eyelid as the continuous rubbing of eyelid against the surface of the eye can lead to scar or even permanent loss of vision.

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