Ectropion is an out-turning of the eyelid margin. This usually involves the lower eyelid. Ectropion can cause tearing, redness, mattering and may affect the closure of the eyelids. Ectropion may be related to previous cosmetic eyelid surgery, previous skin cancer surgery on the face, or may develop with aging.
Repairing ectropion requires tightening the lower eyelid at the outside corner of the eye. Tightening the eyelid can be combined with opening the tear ducts to improve tearing. It can also be performed with lower blepharoplasty when indicated. Some types of ectropion may require mid-face elevation at the same time and rarely a skin graft or flap reconstruction. Ectropion repair is usually covered by insurance and can be performed as an outpatient.
Entropion is in-turning of the eyelid margin. Usually, the lower eyelid is affected in this manner, but occasionally this may affect an upper eyelid. This condition can cause chronic irritation and mattering of the eye. If untreated, it can cause corneal ulceration, infection and may lead to visual loss.
Correcting entropion of the lower lid involves tightening the eyelid, re-inserting the lower eyelid retractors and excising a small strip of Orbicularis muscle. This can be done from the skin approach or from the inside of the eyelid. This is called the transconjunctival entropion repair.
