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Surgical Procedure for Entropion in Infants

Although entropion, which occurs when the eyelid turns inward, may resolve in infants without medical intervention, surgery is sometimes required to correct the problem, according to Minnesota Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Specialists. Proper diagnosis and determining the cause of entropion is critical in regard to which treatment plan and surgical procedure to follow to correct the condition.

  1. Entropion

    • Entropion is the medical condition in which the lower eyelid turns inward, causing the eyelashes and skin to rub against the surface of the eyeball, resulting in redness, irritation and discomfort, according to the Mayo Clinic. If left untreated, children born with entropion may experience permanent damage to the clear part of their eye, known as the cornea, and suffer from loss of vision. Although rare, entropion may be present at birth if the eyelids do not form normally.

    Symptoms

    • Babies with entropion may experience an increase in tear production, mucous discharge and eyelid crusting, according to the Mayo Clinic. Entropion also causes a sensitivity to light, so infants with it may avoid looking into light, turn away from the sun or close their eyes when facing something bright. Additionally, the white part of the affected eye may turn red.

    Diagnosis

    • A thorough an exam by a pediatric ophthalmologist is necessary to diagnose entropion properly in infants, according to KeepKidsHealthy.com. The ophthalmologist will examine the eye physically and assess the position of the eyelid on the eye and determine the cause of the condition. A complete family medical history, including the health and current medications of the child and length of time the child has experienced symptoms of entropion, also necessary is for an accurate diagnosis. Upon diagnosis, the doctor may recommend treatment with anti-inflammatory eye drops prior to surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Surgery

    • Surgery to correct entropion in infants is typically done on an outpatient basis. The child is lightly sedated with oral or intravenous (IV) medications, depending on the preference of the surgeon, and the eye to be operated on is numbed with a local anesthetic. If the cause of entropion is determined to be muscle or ligament relaxation, the surgeon will remove a small part of the lower eyelid and suture with stitches. If entropion has caused scar tissue to develop on the eyeball, a skin graft from the upper eyelid or behind the ear may be required to correct the entropion.

    After Care

    • Infants who undergo entropion surgery may be required to wear a patch on the affected eye for at least 24 hours after surgery has occurred. Applying a cold compress to the eye several times each day can reduce swelling and bruising that may occur after the surgery. Additionally, infant acetaminophen may be give to reduce swelling and post-surgical pain. Prescription antibiotic eye drops and/or steroid eye drops or ointment should be applied several times per day for approximately one week, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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