What is an ectropion?
Eyelid ectropion is an outward turning of the eyelid.
What causes eyelid ectropion?
The most common cause is the skin around the eyelid becoming loose with ageing. Other causes of abnormal outward turning of the eyelid can be due to:
- Scars under the eyelid from sun damage or previous skin cancer surgery
- Facial nerve palsy
- A tumour pushing the eyelid away from the eye
What are the symptoms of eyelid ectropion?
Eyelid ectropion affects people differently. Some people may not feel they have any symptoms apart from an occasional dry eye. Others may experience:
- Grittiness
- Watering of the eyes
- Dry eye
- Red eyes
- Corneal abrasions or ulcers due to incomplete closure of the eyelid
Who should consider ectropion surgery?
You could consider ectropion surgery if you have the symptoms listed above. If your ectropion is not causing symptoms or corneal abrasion’s you can use preservative free lubricating drops. You may also want to use some lubricating gel at night.
What is involved in ectropion surgery?
Your surgeon would have determined your suitability for ectropion surgery during your consultation. Ectropion surgery may be done:
- With a flap or skin graft – if the reason for the ectropion is sun damage, scarring or
facial palsy of the lower eyelid - Without a flap or skin graft – if the reason for the ectropion is purely due to loose
skin and ageing.
The procedure
Ectropion surgery takes place in the day surgery. Step by step outline of the procedure:
- Your surgeon will place marks over the eyelid skin pre-operatively.
- You will have anaesthetic injections to your lower eyelid.
- The surgery itself takes about 1 hour. The skin will be closed with removable sutures.
- On discharge you will be given post-operative instructions
- You will be asked to come in for suture removal between 7-10 days after your surgery.
Are there any restrictions to what I can do after surgery?
- Bruising and swelling is a normal part of the recovery process. This will reduce significantly but can remain for several weeks.
- If you have had a skin graft or skin flap you SHOULD NOT use ice packs during your recovery.
- We encourage you not to do aerobic activity or weight lifting for 2 weeks after surgery.
- You may not swim with your head submerged for 2 weeks after surgery.
- You should not wear makeup for 2 weeks after surgery.
- You may fly, however we encourage that you do not travel in the 2 weeks after surgery in case of infection or other post- operative complications.
What are the problems that can happen after ectropion surgery?
Every surgery has risks. The problems related to ectropion surgery can be
- Bruising and swelling of the eyelids (very common)
- Dry eye (common)
- Scar (definite)
- The scar will be hidden in the eyelid crease. There may be some scar that extends beyond the eyelid crease. This can be managed with scar reducing creams.
- Abnormal scarring, however rare, is always a possibility.
- Infection (rare)
- Further surgery (5%)
- This may be due to slight excess skin, uncontrolled bleeding, further surgery required to the elevating muscle of the eyelid.
- Injury to the eye (extremely rare)