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Book an appointment. With pain, reduced vision or a very red eye: contact us promptly.
Two forms
Inward-turning eyelid (entropion)
The edge of the lid rolls inwards, and the lashes scratch the eye. This causes redness, grittiness, watering and discharge, and in time can cause ulcers on the cornea.
Outward-turning eyelid (ectropion)
The edge of the lid sags away from the eye, so the red inside is visible. Tears cannot drain away, so the eye waters and becomes dry and irritated.
Causes
- Lax tendons and muscles in the eyelid with age. The most common cause
- Scarring after injuries, burns or skin diseases
- Facial nerve palsy
- Previous eyelid surgery
What you can do in the meantime
- Use artificial tears and a moisturising gel at night
- Wipe tears upwards and inwards towards the nose, so the lid is not pulled further out
- For an inward-turning lid, a piece of tape on the skin below the lid can hold the edge out temporarily
Treatment
The permanent treatment is a small operation under local anaesthetic, in which the eyelid is tightened and turned back into place. You can go home the same day.
Read also about watery eyes and heavy eyelids.
What happens at our clinic?
- We examine the position and tension of the eyelids and look for damage to the cornea.
- We assess whether surgery is relevant and plan the treatment with you.
This text is general information and does not replace an examination. If you are unsure about your symptoms, call us.