It is a condition that can affect one or more eye lids but more commonly affects the lower lid. It is characterised by inward turning of the eye lid so that the eye lashes rub against the front clear part of the eyeball (cornea) and outer lining of the eye (conjunctiva). It can cause discomfort, grittiness, watering and discharge. It can also lead to infection of the cornea and conjunctiva. An entropion can come and go or be there all the time, it can be there as a result of many different reasons.
Most cases require surgical treatment. This is carried out under a local anaesthetic as a day case procedure. The local anaesthetic injection to numb the eyelid is temporarily painful to start with but the procedure itself is not painful. The surgical procedure involves small incisions (cuts) and tightening of the eye lid and its attachments with stitches. At the end of the procedure the eye is covered with a patch for upto 24 hours. There may be some post-operative pain for which paracetamol or other pain tablets can be taken.
The following day there may be some bruising and swelling of the eye lid and surrounding area. An eye ointment is generally prescribed to use over the lid wound/eye for a few weeks. The review appointment is generally in one or two weeks. The stitches may be removed in clinic or may be left to dissolve themselves.
It is quite common to have some amount of bruising and swelling after surgery to the eyelid. There is a small risk of postoperative bleeding in the first 24-48 hours. There is a risk of scarring but this tends to fade over time. There is also a small risk of infection which may require oral antibiotic use in addition to ointment or drops. Rarely some people may have an allergic reaction to the antibiotic ointment or drops, in which case an alternative antibiotic can be given.
There is a possibility of overcorrection of the eyelid or return of the entropion. This may need further surgery.
