Ectropion And Entropion Specialist

Rand Rodgers, MD

Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon

When you get an eyelash or dust in your eye, it can feel like gravel and cause irritation and excessive tearing. When you have ectropion or entropion, you may feel this irritation all the time. Rand Rodgers, MD, and his expert team can treat these troublesome eyelid conditions effectively, so you get long-term relief from the symptoms of ectropion (when the edge of your eyelid turns outward) and entropion (when the edge of your eyelid turns inward). If you have problems with your eyelids, call any of their offices in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Great Neck, or New Rochelle, New York, or schedule a consultation online.

Ectropion and Entropion Q&A

What are ectropion and entropion?

Ectropion is the medical term for a condition in which one or both of your eyelids turns outward so the edge of your eyelid no longer touches your eyeball. With entropion, your eyelid turns inward so your eyelashes rub against your eyeball. In both cases, your eyes are unable to close tightly enough and may result in tearing and infections.

With entropion, the constant rubbing of your eyelashes against your cornea can cause an ulcer and lead to scarring of your cornea. Both entropion and ectropion are more common in older people, as the tissue around your eyes may relax and loosen with age.

What causes ectropion and entropion?

If the muscles around your eyes weaken too much and the tissue relaxes, you can develop ectropion or entropion. Other potential risk factors include:

Eye injuries such as burns or trauma
Stroke
Bell’s palsy or other causes of facial paralysis
Prior eyelid surgery or scar tissue
Skin cancer
Genetic disorders
Eye infections
Prolonged eyelid inflammation from eye irritations

If left untreated, symptoms can be irritating and frustrating to deal with each day.

What are the symptoms of entropion and ectropion?

With either condition, the most common symptoms include the feeling that something is irritating your eye. You may also experience:

Sensitivity to light or wind
Excessively watery eyes
Red, irritated eyes
Eye pain
Mucous discharge or eyelid crusting
Excessively dry, gritty eyes

If you notice changes in your vision or the discomfort is intolerable, call Rand Rodgers, MD, to avoid further complications or permanent vision impairment.

What treatments are available for entropion and ectropion?

If the condition is mild, Dr. Rodgers first prescribes artificial tears or eye ointments to alleviate symptoms. In some cases of entropion, soft contact lenses may temporarily help to ease the irritation you feel when your eyelid rubs against your cornea.

With both ectropion and entropion, if nonsurgical methods don’t help or your symptoms are more severe, Dr. Rodgers may recommend a surgical procedure that helps to tighten the skin and muscles surrounding your eyes.

Learn how you can relieve the irritating symptoms of entropion or ectropion. Call Rand Rodgers, MD, and his team for an appointment or schedule a time using the online system.

What we offer