Eyelid Surgery

Entropion Repair


Entropion is a “turning in” of the eyelid. Typically occurring on the lower eyelid, the skin and lashes rub painfully against the cornea. The condition may cause the lid to turn in constantly or only at times when the eyes are closed tightly.

Entropion usually arises as a result of aging since the muscles around the eyes may progressively weaken. A spasm or relaxation of the muscles near the eye can cause the lid to turn inward. Other causes can include injury, congenital defect, skin infections and various inflammatory conditions. You may also be at higher risk for entropion if you have undergone facial surgery or have facial scarring that affects the natural curve of the eyelid.

Innocenzi Eye Associates | Chino, CA

Symptoms

The initial symptoms of entropion are often pain in the eye, excessive tearing, redness and irritation. There also may be dryness of the eyes that causes discomfort. Over time, if the condition is not treated, the cornea may become damaged due to abrasions, ulcers or infections, resulting in some loss of vision. Contact your physician right away if you are experiencing light sensitivity, a decrease in vision or rapid onset of redness in the eye. Your doctor will be able to diagnose entropion upon an examination of the eyes.

Treatment

Lubricating eye drops may be used to lessen certain symptoms such as dry eyes. Temporary relief can also sometimes be found by using Botox, skin tape to hold the eyelid in place or strategically placed stitches. But ultimately, entropion generally needs to be corrected through a brief surgical procedure in which the eyelids are repositioned. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic and sometimes light sedation is provided as well. For entropion due to muscle weakness, the surgery may involve the removal of a small section of eyelid to tighten the muscles in the area. When the entropion is caused by scars or prior surgery, the procedure typically relies on a skin graft to allow a repositioning of the eyelid.

Most patients require an eye patch for a day after the surgery, as well as use of ointments on the eye for a week. The symptoms typically disappear immediately, but you may experience some short-term bruising or swelling as a result of the procedure.

Ectropion Repair


Ectropion is a “turning out” of the eyelid. Typically occurring on the lower eyelid, the skin of the inner lid is exposed, either in one section of eye or across the entire lid. This prevents tears from draining from the eye correctly, resulting in irritation.

Common causes of ectropion include age-related weakening of the connective tissue around the eye, sun damage, tumors, burns and the removal of too much skin during blepharoplasty. In some cases, ectropion occurs as a congenital birth defect or as a result of facial palsy.

Symptoms

The major symptoms of ectropion are usually very dry eyes, pain, excessive tearing and redness both on the eye and the eyelid. This may be accompanied by or contribute to the formation of ailments such as conjunctivitis and interstitial keratitis. Over time, if the condition is not treated, the cornea may become damaged due to abrasions, ulcers or infections, resulting in some loss of vision. Contact your physician right away if you are experiencing light sensitivity, a decrease in vision or rapid onset of redness in the eye. Your doctor will be able to diagnose ectropion upon an examination of the eyes.

Treatment

Artificial tears can help provide temporary relief from dryness. But for full correction of ectropion, a quick surgical procedure in which the lid is tightened is usually necessary. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic and sometimes light sedation is provided as well. For ectropion due to muscle weakness, the surgery may involve the removal of a small section of eyelid to tighten the muscles in the area. When the ectropion is caused by scars or prior surgery, the procedure typically relies on a skin graft to allow a repositioning of the eyelid.

Most patients require an eye patch for a day after the surgery, as well as use of ointments on the eye for a week. The symptoms typically disappear immediately, but you may experience some short-term bruising or swelling as a result of the procedure.

Innocenzi Eye Associates | Chino, CA

Eyelid Lesions


Eyelid Papilloma

An eyelid papilloma is a rounded growth that protrudes from the upper or lower eyelid. These are very common lesions that most frequently develop in middle-aged and older patients. Papillomas are most often benign, but in rare cases may be precancerous or malignant. Many patients opt to have these lesions removed even if they pose no medical risk for cosmetic purposes or because they are a source of discomfort.

The standard of treatment for most eyelid papillomas is surgical excision. Due to the proximity to the eye, especially if the lesion is near the margin, cutting it away is safer than most alternative procedures. After a local anesthetic is applied, your doctor will use surgical tools to remove the papilloma in its entirety. The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes. Some patients experience mild bleeding or bruising at the treatment site afterward, but these usually resolve within a few days. Even after a complete excision, there is a possibility that the papilloma will eventually return.

Eyelid Tumor Removal

Tumors are abnormal growths of tissue that can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Tumors on the eyelid or orbit (eye socket) should be evaluated and treated as soon as possible. Cancers require immediate medical attention. Even a benign tumor can cause pain or damage to the eye, such as blocking the tear ducts or preventing the eyelids from closing. A biopsy will usually determine whether the eyelid or orbital tumor is benign or malignant.

Most cancers of the eyelid (about 85-95%) are basal cell carcinomas that form on the inside of the inner eyelid. They are malignant but rarely spread to other parts of the body. Treatment is usually surgical removal.

If there is a defect after the tumor has been removed, the surgeon will reconstruct the eyelid or orbit so that it both functions properly and looks normal. Reconstruction is tailored to each patient based on the size and location of the defect. Oculoplastic surgeons are ideal for tumor removal and reconstruction, since they are trained in both ophthalmology and plastic surgery.

Do you have any questions or comments? Or would you like to learn more about how we can help you? Please call us at: 909.590.2073 and speak with a member of our team.

Innocenzi Eye Assiociates | Chino, CA

Innocenzi Eye Assiociates | Chino, CA

Innocenzi Eye Assiociates | Chino, CA

Innocenzi Eye Assiociates | Chino, CA

Innocenzi Eye Assiociates | Chino, CA

CareCredit


We offer CareCredit, a card designed specifically for your healthcare needs. CareCredit can help you move forward with getting the procedure you’ve always wanted. With minimum monthly payment options, no up-front costs and no prepayment penalties, you can get your procedure sooner.


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