Are your eyelids turning inward? Shall we talk about this entropion?

Have you ever felt like something was stuck in your eye, constantly hurting, itching, and tearing? You may have thought that a speck of dust had gotten into your eye. But have you ever considered that the cause of this could be your own eyelid? We're talking about just such a situation today.

Simply put, what is entropion?

Entropion is a condition in which your eyelid turns inward, toward your eyeball. When this happens, the skin and eyelashes of your eyelids rub against the surface of your eye, especially the clear part of your eye called the cornea. This rubbing can cause discomfort, pain, and irritation.

The other side of this, which is when the eyelid turns outward, is called ectropion. Entropion is usually seen in the lower eyelid. Some people may have it in just one eye, while others may have it in both eyes.

What are the different ways in which entropion occurs?

There are several reasons why this condition can occur. Let's look at the main types. It will be easier for you to understand this information in a table.

Do you also have these symptoms?

When entropion begins, you may experience symptoms only occasionally, but over time, these discomforts become more frequent.

• Feeling like something is in the eye: Always feeling like there is something dirty in the eye.
• Redness of the eyes: The eyes become red due to the rubbing of the eyelashes .
• Tears: Tears often flow from the eyes due to irritation.
• Blurred vision: Scratches and tears on the surface of the eye can cause some blurring of vision.
• Eye pain and itching: The eye hurts and itches constantly.
• Sensitivity to light and wind: It becomes difficult to look at the light, and even when the wind blows, it is uncomfortable for the eyes. We call this ``Photophobia``.
• Puffy eyes: When I wake up in the morning, my eyes are puffy.

Why does entropion occur? Who is at higher risk?

The main cause of this is aging. This condition is most common among people over the age of 60. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 2.1% of people over the age of 60 have this condition. The main reason for this is that the tissues that support the eyelid weaken as we age.

In addition,

• Eye injuries
• Infections
• Previous eye surgeries
• Inflammatory eye conditions
• This risk is also higher for people with sleep apnea, a condition that causes them to stop breathing while sleeping.

Research has also found that this condition is more common among women than men.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to see a doctor, he will first ask you about your symptoms and medical history. Then he will perform an eye exam. He will carefully examine the eyelid skin for any irritation, signs of infection, or scarring.

To accurately diagnose this disease, your doctor can perform a few simple tests:

• Snap-back test: The doctor will pull down your lower eyelid and watch how long it takes for it to go back up without blinking. A healthy eyelid will go back up quickly.
• Distraction test: The eyelid is pulled away from the eye and the distance is measured. Usually, if it is pulled more than 6 millimeters, it is abnormal.
• Slit lamp exam: This is a special microscope called a ``slit lamp.'' This instrument uses a bright light to examine your eye and eyelid very closely.

What are the treatments for this?

Things to do before going for surgery

These are often temporary solutions, but they can help reduce discomfort until surgery is possible.

• Lubricating eye drops: Artificial tears and various ointments can help prevent dry eyes and reduce discomfort.
• Soft contact lenses: Sometimes your doctor may recommend wearing a soft contact lens, similar to a bandage, as eye protection.
• Using tape: You can use a special tape to temporarily hold the eyelid in the correct position.
• Stitching: The doctor may numb the eyelid and place a few small stitches to turn it outward. This can provide relief for a few months.
• Botox® injections: A small amount of the drug botulinum toxin (Botox®) can be injected into the muscles that turn the eyelids inward, weakening those muscles.

Is surgery necessary for complete recovery?

These are usually not major surgeries. You can go home the same day after this procedure, which only numbs the eyelid. The surgery involves tightening loose tissue in the eyelid or repositioning the muscles involved.

There may be some swelling and bruising around the eye for a few days after the surgery. This is normal. This can be controlled with the medication your doctor gives you and applying ice packs. It will heal completely in about two weeks.

When should I see a doctor? What happens if I'm late?

If you notice that your eyelid is turning inward, or if you have any of the symptoms we discussed earlier, especially if you constantly feel like something is wrong with your eye, see a doctor immediately, especially an ophthalmologist.

Is there a way to prevent this situation?

It is difficult to completely prevent entropion that occurs with aging, as it is a natural process. However, the risk of entropion caused by injury can be reduced. Wearing protective eyewear when engaging in certain hazardous activities (for example, welding or working with machinery) can help prevent eye damage.