Entropion Eye Diseases

Causes of Entropion:

  • Congenital – Entropion is usually caused bygenetic  Very rarely it may be congenital entropion when an extra fold of skin grows with the lower eyelid (epiblepharon).
  • Aging (Involutional entropion) creates loose skin on the eyelids, stretched and loose ligaments and eyelid muscles, leading to the inward bending of the eyelid margin. This condition occurs in people over 60 years of age.
  • Scarring – Scarred skin from chemical burns, trauma or surgery can distort the normal curve of the eyelid, causing cicatricial entropion.
  • Eyelid Spasm can lead to rotation of the eyelid margin & entropion.
  • An eye infection called trachoma is still common in North Africa and South Asia and this can cause scarring of the inner eyelid. The eyelid scarring causes the eyelid margin to rotate inwards, which may cause friction and cicatricial entropion.

Symptoms of Entropion:

The symptoms of entropion result from the friction of your eyelashes and outer eyelid against the surface of your eye. The signs and symptoms of entropion are:

  • Redness of the white part of the eye
  • Eye irritation & Pain around the eye – The feeling that there’s something in the eye
  • Sensitivity to light and wind
  • Epiphora or Watery eyes (excessive tearing)
  • Mucous discharge and eyelid crusting
  • Decreased vision, especially if the cornea is damaged

Complications of Entropion:

The most serious complication associated with entropion is corneal irritation and damage. Because the eyelashes and eyelid are constantly rubbing the cornea, the cornea is more susceptible to corneal breakdown and ulcers, which can cause permanent loss of vision.