Causes and risk factors
Entropion is caused due to weakening of the muscles surrounding the eyelids. Advance age is the contributing factor for it. Entropion can also be congenital. Certain other causes of entropion are injuries, infection or any surgical procedure on the eye.
Clinical presentation:
The patient usually comes up with complaints of sensation of foreign body in the affected eye along with pain. Sensation as if something is continuously rubbing the conjunctiva or cornea. This causes continuous watery discharges from the eyes. The discharges can also be thick and sticky. This can lead to matting of the eyelashes. It can be a matter of worry from cosmetic point of view. The eyes become red and sensitive. This all can lead to irritation. Entropion gives way to secondary infection and can lead to complications like scarring of cornea.
Investigations:
Diagnosis is done of the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and the examination carried out by the ophthalmologist. Usually no investigations are required for entropion.
Treatment:
Non surgical medical intervention comprises of use of adhesive tapes for pulling the skin outwards or cauterization. Alcohol injections can also be given along the edge of the skin. Surgical repair to restore the eyelid to the normal position (Weis/Fox procedure) can be done.
