Home Treatments Eye Treatments Entropion and Ectropion Treatment London

Entropion and Ectropion Treatment London

At a glance:

Ectropion & Entropion Treatment

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Symptoms

redness, irritation, or discomfort in your eyes, and eyelids turning inward or outward

Treatment

surgical procedure under local anaesthesia to correct the position of the eyelids

Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)

Entropion & Ectropion Treatment London

Entropion and ectropion are conditions that affect the eyelids. Entropion is often associated with ageing laxity or due to scar tissue from previous eyelid surgery, trauma or infection. Entropion is when the lower or upper eyelid margin turns inward. This causes the eyelashes and skin to rub against the sensitive eye surface, resulting in foreign body pain, discomfort and irritation. It can affect the cornea and cause reduced vision if not treated promptly.

Ectropion, on the other hand, is when the lower eyelid margin turns outward, exposing the inner surface of the eyelid, leading to dryness and irritation of the conjunctiva on the under surface of the eyelid. It often causes watering as the tears cannot drain, and excess tears are produced secondarily to the inflamed conjunctival lining. Ectropion of the eyelid is commonest in the lower eyelid and is due to eyelid laxity of ageing (involutional) or skin scarring pulling the eyelid margin outwards.

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Entropion and ectropion eyelid conditions are often symptomatic and need to be diagnosed and confirmed during an eye exam by the Ophthalmic Plastic (Oculoplastic) Ophthalmologist.

Entropion and ectropion can be caused by various factors, most often ageing and laxity of tissue layers. Ageing often weakens the muscles and other soft tissues around the eyes, contributing to the development of eyelid malposition. However, injury, previous eyelid surgery, or skin conditions can also result in entropion and ectropion. Facial palsy can cause ectropion of the lower eyelid.

Treating both entropion and ectropion involves delicate oculoplastic eyelid surgery to correct the position and strength of the eyelids. There are many different corrective procedures and the suitable approach is determined at assessment. Procedures such as everting or inverting sutures and eyelid tightening by horizontal excision tissue or a lateral tarsal strip operation are commonly employed. Occasionally, a graft may be used, depending on the aetiology and severity of the condition.

Antibiotic ointment and artificial tears are prescribed post oculoplastic eyelid surgery to aid healing and comfort. Rarely, further eyelid surgery may be required. If you are experiencing symptoms it’s important to seek professional advice.

Do I need Ectropion & Entropion Treatment?

Symptoms such as eye redness, irritation, watering, or discomfort, or if your eyelids are obviously turning inward (a condition known as entropion) or outward (ectropion), may be a sign that you require specialised treatment. Untreated entropion and ectropion can lead to serious complications like corneal damage and vision loss or incessant watering and irritation.

At Clinica London, our ophthalmic plastic specialists (oculoplastic surgeons) perform eyelid entropion and ectropion treatment. Ophthalmic plastic surgery is specialised oculoplastic surgery on the eyelids and peri-orbital area. Our oculoplastic surgeons are skilled in eyelid anatomy and surgical correction and utilise the latest entropion and ectropion surgical procedures. They employ techniques such as positioning sutures and correcting laxity with tissue excision, the lateral tarsal strip procedure, and skin or mucosal grafts tailored to each patient’s needs.

If you have symptoms such as your eyelid turning inward or outward or if you have been diagnosed with entropion or ectropion, it’s crucial to seek prompt medical attention.

If you have an established facial nerve palsy, a lower eyelid ectropion often requires surgical correction using specialised oculoplastic techniques. Our oculoplastic team is experienced in handling lower and upper eyelid entropion and ectropion cases, often caused by factors like ageing, previous surgery, scar tissue or nerve weakness.

Treatment benefits

Entropion and ectropion oculoplastic treatment, involving corrective eyelid surgery, is designed to address issues of the eyelids turning inward or outward. The surgery rectifies the position of both upper and lower eyelid margins, improving the eyelids’ function and offering better eye comfort, protection and lubrication. By relieving the discomfort caused by these conditions and correcting the eyelid malposition, the procedure helps prevent severe complications, including corneal damage and vision loss.

Treatment Specific

Entropion and ectropion can affect the lower and upper eyelids, however both most commonly affect the lower eyelid margin.

The oculoplastic surgical procedure is performed at Clinica London under local anaesthesia in our operating theatre, and the specific technique used will vary based on the patient’s needs and the severity of the condition. For instance, entropion surgery often involves tightening the eyelid and its retractors. In some cases, a skin graft might be used to replace the shortage in the eyelid skin, particularly if there is scar tissue from previous surgery pulling the eyelid outwards and away from the globe, or a mucosal graft if there is conjunctival shortage pulling the eyelid inwards.

In most cases, a single session is sufficient for treating both entropion and ectropion, though the number of sessions may vary based on the severity of the condition. The success rate of this oculoplastic eyelid surgery is very high, with over 95% of surgeries effectively treating these conditions. Patients are prescribed an antibiotic ointment and artificial tears following surgery to aid healing and comfort.

Preparing for procedure

Before undergoing the oculoplastic eyelid procedure, it is crucial to thoroughly discuss your medical history with our oculoplastic consultants, including any medications you are currently taking and any allergies you may have. The oculoplastic surgeon will re-examine your eyelid to confirm that the surgery is necessary and will review the consent form with you, ensuring you understand the operation you will have, including the benefits and potential risks.

These risks may include discomfort from the local anaesthetic, a small bruise from the anaesthetic and the surgery, postoperative swelling, and possibly some visible stitches. There is also a minute risk to vision, which we take great care to minimise at all surgery steps.

Please follow any pre-surgery instructions given by the consultant. These may include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.

After the surgery, you should arrange for someone to drive you home, as you may not be able to drive immediately. You will likely have an eye pad over the operated eye for up to 24 hours. This helps it feel comfortable and reduces postoperative bleeding and bruising. Once the eye pad is removed at home, visible stitches usually stay in for at least two weeks. After the surgery, you will require topical antibiotic drops or ointment for a week or so.

Recovery & Aftercare

After undergoing oculoplastic entropion or ectropion treatment, it is normal to experience some swelling and discomfort around the eye area. These symptoms, associated with the eyelid surgery, should subside within a few days. Our surgeons may recommend applying a cold compress to the area and putting in eye drops plus cleaning the eyelids well, to aid your recovery. Avoiding activities that could strain your eyes, such as rubbing them or performing strenuous tasks, is also important in the first two weeks after surgery.

Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor your progress after the entropion or ectropion surgery. During these visits, your doctor will check for potential complications such as local infection or bruising and swelling and assess the success of the oculoplastic eyelid surgery. This often involves examining the lower and upper eyelid margins, and the condition of any skin grafts used in the procedure.

Everyone’s recovery timeline after oculoplastic surgery for entropion or ectropion is unique and depends on various factors, such as the specifics of the entropion or ectropion treatment, your overall health, and your body’s healing process. For example, recovery may take longer if the procedure involves correcting cicatricial entropion (previous scar tissue) than correcting involutional lower eyelid entropion, a condition often associated with ageing.

Therefore, maintaining open communication with your surgeon is crucial. Report any unusual symptoms promptly, especially if you have symptoms related to your eyelid turning inward or outward. Also, ensure to use any prescribed antibiotic ointment and artificial tears as they aid in healing and comfort after the eyelid surgery.

RISKS & SIDE EFFECTS

As with any surgical oculoplastic procedure, entropion and ectropion eyelid surgery carries some risks and potential side effects. These may include:

Mild discomfort following the surgery
Swelling and bruising around the eye area
Stitch infection
Visible scar
Recurrence of the condition
Serious but exceedingly rare complications, such as damage to the eye or loss of vision

Discussing these potential risks and side effects with your surgeon before the procedure is important. They can give you a better idea of your individual risk level and help you weigh the benefits and risks of surgery.

Our consultants

Miss Jane Olver is the Founder and Medical Director of Clinica. As a dedicated Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Oculoplastic (Eyelid) and lacrimal Specialist, Miss Olver brings a wealth of expertise to Clinica and her ectropion and entropion patients. She employs minimalistic oculoplastic techniques to achieve optimal results without undue downtime.

Miss Michelle Ting is the newest Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon and is a highly experienced Oculoplastic Surgeon who regularly performs entropion and ectropion surgery for whatever cause, including complex reconstructions required when caused by scarring and facial palsy.

Both of Clinica London´s Oculoplastic Surgeons are highly experienced in entropion and ectropion surgery, honing their skills through their extensive training in delicate eyelid anatomy, eyelid function and eyelid oculoplastic surgical correction.

Both Miss Olver and Miss Ting successfully implement the latest ophthalmic plastic techniques and procedures to provide effective treatment tailored to each patient’s specific needs. Patient care is at the forefront of their work, ensuring early detection and treatment to prevent further complications and significantly improve the patient’s quality of life.

Miss Jane Olver

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Oculoplastic (Eyelid) & Lacrimal Specialist
Medical Director
A dedicated Oculoplastic Eyelid surgeon, blepharoplasty and ptosis specialist

Ms Michelle Ting

Consultant Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Ophthalmologist specialising in oculoplastic (eyelid), lacrimal, orbital and facial surgery.

Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)

Pricing

Each patient requires an initial consultation with the Oculoplastic Surgeon Miss Olver or Miss Ting, to fully assess the eyelid malposition and plan treatment. The consultation price ranges between £300 and £350.

If ophthalmic plastic entropion or ectropion surgery is required, individual quotes are given for oculoplastic surgery, which includes the surgeon’s fee, the theatre use, all post-operative medication and post-operative eye care, and two follow-up appointments.

Please book an initial consultation to discuss your needs and receive a detailed written quote with a breakdown of treatment costs.

Initial consultation fees are not included.

ECTROPION & ENTROPION FAQS

The treatment for Ectropion and Entropion typically takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the case’s complexity.

The results of oculoplastic eyelid entropion and ectropion treatment are generally long-lasting, over 5 years. The delicate surgical correction of the eyelid position usually provides permanent relief from the symptoms and prevents further complications. However, the conditions might recur in some cases, and additional treatment might be required. The long-term results are in the range of 95 – 98% success.

The downtime after oculoplastic eyelid entropion and ectropion surgery can vary depending on the individual, but patients usually return to their normal routine within a week or two. During the recovery period, there will be some bruising and visible stitches, and it is recommended that you avoid strenuous activities and eye strain. Consult your surgeon for a more accurate timeline based on your circumstances.

Yes, there are medical alternatives to surgery for entropion and ectropion, but the definitive correction is oculoplastic surgery.

Non-surgical medical treatments can include lubricating eye drops or ointments, a bandage contact lens, an injection of an anti-wrinkle substance, or taping of the eyelid. However, these are all temporary solutions and may not be suitable for everyone. It is important to discuss these options with your healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.

Oculoplastic surgery is extremely delicate ophthalmic plastic surgery solely of the eyelids, surrounding peri-orbital area and face. The oculoplastic surgeons at Clinica London, Miss Jane Olver and Miss Michelle Ting, have extensive training in ophthalmic plastic surgery at the Fellowship level and practised extensively within the NHS and privately in this field. They have published on eyelid surgery and reconstruction in peer-reviewed journals and regularly teach and lecture on eyelid surgery. They bring you the confidence you require, knowing that the prime importance is to carry out beautiful eyelid surgery to correct the malposition and, at all times, protect your eyes and vision.

Award Winning Clinic in London

Clinica London is a leading ophthalmology and dermatology medical clinic. It has a sense of passion for helping patients. The clinic’s consultants are highly skilled professionals who have received British, European, and international awards in their respective fields. Clinica is honest and offers transparent treatment advice in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

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​Entropion and Ectropion Treatment London