Date of last review: Due to be updated

Differential diagnosis

  • Eyelid retraction (e.g. Graves’ disease)
  • Distichiasis
  • Trichiasis
  • Dermatochalasis
  • Epiblepharon
  • Cicatricial conjunctivitis

Possible management by Optometrist

Treatment

  • Ocular lubricants for symptomatic relief (drops for use during the day, unmedicated ointment for use at bedtime)
  • Tape the eyelid for temporary relief of symptoms
  • Epilation of lashes where trichiasis is localised (e.g. in cicatricial entropion)
  • Consider therapeutic contact lens (silicone hydrogel soft, rigid limbal or rigid scleral) for temporary relief of symptoms

Advice

  • Permanent solution requires surgery

Management Category

  • Initial management (including drugs) followed by routine referral
  • Congenital entropion does not resolve spontaneously and requires referral for prompt treatment

Possible management by Ophthalmologist

  • Everting suture
  • Surgery