Surgery to correct lower lid entropion needs to address both the weakness of the lower lid muscle and the horizontal laxity of the eyelid. A very lax lid is prone to flopping in, causing an entropion, or flopping out, causing an ectropion. Tightening the eyelid is akin to tightening the guy ropes on a tent, for stability. The weak lower lid muscles can also contribute to this tendency for the lid to turn in and therefore need to be tightened. With ageing the lower lids can develop loose skin and this can be corrected at the same time as correcting the lid position.
The approach for surgical correction of upper lid entropion is different. This condition is often caused by scarring under the upper lid which pulls down the lashes so that they touch the cornea. Surgical correction involves sliding the front layer (lamellar) of the lid (skin & lashes) back over the inner layer (lamellar) of the lid. This results in the upper lid lashes being rotated away from the cornea.
Lower lid entropion surgery involves strengthening the lower lid muscles (inferior retractor plication) and horizontal tightening of the lower lid (lateral wedge resection).
Before the procedure the incision line is marked under the lashes and out into a laughter line. Sedation is given, if required. The lower lid is then injected with local anaesthetic to numb it.In the operating theatre the face is prepped and draped ready for surgery.
The inferior retractor muscle is carefully identified and securely reattached to the eyelid. To secure the lid position the lower lid is tightened. Any excess lower lid skin is carefully removed. Finally, the skin is closed with very fine stitches.
The lid is covered with an eye pad which stays in place until the following morning. Post-operative antibiotic ointment is supplied to apply to the wound for two weeks. A follow-up appointment is made for approximately 2 weeks, when the dissolvable stitches can be removed, if required.
My Eye Clinic is conveniently located in Gosforth with easy parking and relaxed comfortable waiting areas with refreshments.
My Eye Clinic has two highly experienced consultant oculoplastic surgeons to provide expert assessment and treatment of ptosis.
My Eye Clinic can provide easy access to surgery with minimal waiting times.
My Eye Clinic has a new fully-equipped operating theatre staffed by specialist ophthalmic theatre nurses and supported by two consultant specialist ophthalmic anaesthetists.
Mr Boyce is a Consultant Oculoplastic surgeon with a special interest in blepharoplasty, ptosis, entropion and ectropion surgery. He has been a Consultant Ophthalmologist, with special interest in Oculoplastic and Lacrimal Surgery, at Sunderland Eye Infirmary for 20 years. He now works exclusively in the private sector.
Mr Meredith graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2010 after receiving several prizes and a distinction in Medicine and Surgery. After undertaking junior doctor training at Addenbrookes’ Hospital he completed seven years of post-graduate Ophthalmic Specialist Training on the south coast of England including one year of advanced specialist training in Oculoplastics in Portsmouth.
Inclusive prices include post-operative medicines and follow-up appointments:
Following entropion surgery your lid will have minor swelling and bruising which will settle in 1-2 weeks. Post-operative bleeding and infection are uncommon.
