Ectropion

What is ectropion?

Ectropion is the medical term used to describe the outward turning of the lower eyelid. Ectropion can lead to excessive tearing, redness, mucous discharge and irritation of the eye. There is also a chance of permanent damage to the surface of the eye.

What is the treatment for ectropion?

Ectropion will need to be repaired surgically to relieve the symptoms and reposition the eyelid. Usually a small incision is made at the outer corner of the lower lid and the loose structures stretched and shortened, then re-sutured to the tissue overlying the bone at the outer corner. If there is a lack of skin in the lid a skin graft may be required.

The surgery lasts between 30 to 60 minutes and is usually performed under local anaesthesia (numbing injections around the eyelid) with or without sedation. The procedure is usually done as a day case, this means you can likely go home after the operation providing you are safe to do so. If surgery is performed on only one lid it is usually padded until the following day.

DISCLAIMER: All before and after photography offer examples only, and do not constitute an implied result or any other kind of certainty for the result of surgery or a non-surgical procedure. All surgical and non-surgical outcomes are subject to the individual results for the patient and the normal variability of clinical procedure results.

What are the risks of Ectropion Surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, ectropion surgery has inherent risks and potential complications. It is crucial for any individual considering this surgery to be fully aware of them.

• Common Temporary Side Effects: These include swelling, bruising and dry eyes. These usually resolve within two to three weeks.

• Potential Complications:

• Scarring: While final scaring is usually minimal, scarring can be initially visible or raised.

• Infection and Bleeding: There is a small risk of post-operative infection.

• Weakened eyelid closure: This is an uncommon condition that is usually temporary but sometimes permanent, requiring additional treatment.

• Eye Injury: Extremely rare but serious risks include injury to the eye muscles and the globe.

• Unsatisfactory Aesthetic Result: The outcome may not meet the patient's expectations.

• Need for Revision Surgery: In some cases, a secondary procedure may be necessary to achieve the desired result or to address complications.

At your clinic visit, Dr. Chen will discuss the procedure, its potential benefits and risks and expected recovery process with you. To ensure that you are well-prepared for surgery, Dr. Chen may sometimes ask that you have more than one clinic visit prior to the day of surgery.