Eyelids

ECTROPION

Ectropion is a condition where either the upper or lower eyelid is turning outward. This often exposes a red sore rim of the eyelid which can frequently get infected.

The treatment for this is generally surgical and requires the eyelid to be tightened up, although there are various different procedures to do this.

severe ectropion of lower eyelid

ENTROPION

Entropion is a condition where either the upper or lower eyelid is turning inwards.

This causes the eyelashes to rub on the eyeball causing a foreign body sensation together with redness and often subsequent infection. It can often be intermittent and may sometimes only occur when looking down or reading.

Entropion requires correction with surgery to turn the eyelid outwards and often to tighten the eyelid as well. This type of surgery is performed under local anaesthetic as a day case.

Lower lid entropion

TRICHIASIS

Trichiasis is a condition where some of the eye lashes are misdirected and grow in the wrong direction. If they grow inwards they can rub on the eye and cause irritation, redness and infection.

Trichiasis can be corrected either by electrolysis or surgery to remove the offending area of eyelid.

DERMATOCHALASIS

As we grow older our skin tends to stretch a little, usually due to sun damage. If this excess skin occurs in the upper eyelids it is known as dermatochalasis. This can hide the normal skin crease of the eyelid and can make the patient appear older than they really are. Occasionally the skin can stretch to such an extent that the eyes have an appearance of being “hooded”.

Treatment for dermatocholasis is excision of the excess skin and reformation of the skin crease.

This procedure is known as blepharoplasty and is performed under local anaesthetic.

Pre operative upper lid blepharoplasty

Post operative upper lid blepharoplasty(same patient)

Inevitably there is a skin incision and wound in the upper eyelid that in the early weeks is visible but usually fades to be undetectable.

LOWER LID BAGS

Lower lid bags develop as a result of stretching of the skin of the lower eyelid and also protrusion of underlying fat. The fat pushes forward and causes the bulges that we all recognise as “eye bags”.

The only real treatment for eye bags is surgery to excise or move any fat and also to tighten the skin of the eyelid.

Inevitably there is a skin incision and scar which is viewable in the early weeks but usually fades to be undetectable.