Entropion and Ectropion Repair Post Operative Advice

What is it:

An Entropion repair is an operation to correct an eyelid that turns inwards. A section of skin is removed from the affected eyelid to reverse its inward rolling.

This may be due to a weakening muscle with aging under the eye causing the tendons to stretch out, scars, previous surgery, or eye infection.

Left untreated there is a risk of damage to the transparent covering in the front part of your eye (cornea), eye infections and loss of vision due to eyelashes rubbing against the eyeball.

An Ectropion repair is an operation to correct an eyelid that turns out. It involves tightening the muscles of the eyelid to restore it to it’s more normal position.

This may be due to a weakening muscle with aging, previous eye surgery, cancer, burns or trauma.

Left untreated the drooping eyelid can affect tear drainage, the eye can become sore, red, irritated, water excessively, feel dry, gritty and increase your risk of bacterial infection such as conjunctivitis.

What to expect on the day of your surgery:

• You may have an eye pad covering the operated eye, the nurse will advise when this can be removed.
• At home apply a cold compress six times a day for no longer than 15 minutes. This will help reduce bruising, swelling, and pain. You can use cold gel packs or crushed ice wrapped in a clean towel. Make sure you keep your eyes shut whilst compress is in place.
• Increased watering of the eye with blood-stained tears. This may crust on your eyelashes but try not to be too disturbed by this.
• Your eye may feel sore, take simple over the counter painkillers if needed.
• Blurred vision due to ointment applied to the eye in theatre.
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia).

The morning after your operation:

• Gently remove your eye pad (if one was used).
• Wash your hands.
• With sterile cotton wool, clean your eyelids with cool boiled water. Wipe very gently from the nose outwards.
• Instil your eye ointment/drops as prescribed. This may be for use either in to the eye OR to the eyelid wound. Use these as instructed.

You are advised:

• Do not rub, poke or apply pressure to the operated eye.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, gardening, heavy lifting for two weeks.
• Do not wear eye make up for two weeks.
• Do not perm/ colour your hair for two weeks.
• Do not go swimming for two weeks (wear goggles to swim for 1st month).
• Do not drive if your vision is affected from the surgery or blurred due to ointment.
• Plan for up to one week off work if your job involves heavy lifting, or work in an unclean environment.
• Do not use handkerchiefs to wipe your eye. Use a clean tissue each time.

You can:

• Aim to keep your eye relatively dry for seven days but you can wash your hair with your head backwards. Shower/bathe as normal, avoid getting soap/shampoo in the eye.
• Do light housework and shopping.
• Read, watch TV.

Contact us if:

• Your vision deteriorates.
• If you experience severe pain, not relieved by painkillers.
• If you develop a sticky green/yellow discharge from the eye.
• If you experience new floaters.
• If you injure your eye.

Risks:

• There is a risk of reoccurrence, under correction or overcorrection in some patients.
• Like most surgical procedures there can be bleeding, infection or scarring.
• Loss of sight (blindness) because of surgery is very unlikely.
• Many patients have other coincidental problems causing watery or irritated eye (such as blepharoconjunctivitis, dry eye or tear duct problems), and correcting the lid position therefore may not get rid of all your symptoms.
• The lateral tarsal procedure has a very high chance of success, but as many as 15% of patients do get a tender spot at the outer corner of their eyelids.

Common questions:

How long will it be bruised/ swollen for?

• It could take 2-3 weeks for bruising to subside completely.
• It could take as long as 3-4 weeks for swelling to subside.

Contacts: