Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid, most often the lower lid, turns inward toward the eye. When the lid rolls in, the eyelashes and skin rub directly against the cornea, the clear crystal covering the colored part of the eye. Because the cornea is extremely sensitive, this constant friction can be exceptionally painful.

The most common cause is aging. Over time, the muscles and tendons that hold the eyelid in its normal position lose tone and elasticity, allowing the lid to turn inward. Entropion can also develop as a result of disease, scarring of the inner eyelid, chronic inflammation, previous eyelid surgery or injury, or infection.

Patients often describe a persistent feeling that something is stuck in the eye, along with pain, redness, watering, light sensitivity, and mucous discharge. Vision may become blurred, and the eye can feel raw or scratchy throughout the day. Symptoms tend to worsen the longer the lashes are allowed to rub against the cornea.

Yes. Ongoing friction from the lashes can scratch and scar the cornea, which opens the door to secondary infection. Left untreated, entropion can result in permanent corneal damage and even loss of vision, so it should be evaluated promptly rather than managed indefinitely with drops.

Both conditions involve an eyelid that has lost its normal tone, but they turn in opposite directions. Entropion turns the lid inward, causing the lashes to rub the cornea. Ectropion turns the lid outward, which pulls the lower punctum, the opening into the tear drainage system, away from the tear lake so tears spill down the cheek and vision becomes watery and blurred. Both can lead to infection, and both are corrected surgically.

Entropion repair is performed at the CarlinVision Surgical Center, our state-of-the-art facility. The procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes and is done under local anesthetic, so you are comfortable throughout. Your surgeon tightens and repositions the eyelid so it returns to its natural alignment against the eye.

The eye is patched for a few hours after the procedure, and you will use antibiotic eye medication for several days afterward. Stitches are removed during the following week. Most patients notice relief from the rubbing and irritation very quickly. Because entropion repair is medically necessary rather than cosmetic, the procedure is typically covered by insurance.