Eyelid conditions

Eyelid problems – the two types

Mr Radford is a very experienced eyelid surgeon, having performed complex reconstruction and trauma surgery. He offers surgery for lower eyelid problems privately but does not offer cosmetic surgery.

There are two main problems that occur to the lower eyelid with age.

Entropion occurs when the eyelid turns inwards, leaving the eyelashes to rub against the eye causing discomfort and watering.

Ectropion means the eyelid has turned outwards, which can look red and make the eye water.

Both conditions can be fixed with an eyelid operation to re-position the eyelid correctly.

If the condition is mild it might be corrected simply with a quick operation taking 15 minutes

For more advanced lid turning in or out, a longer operation that may need grafts can be required. This usually takes 30-45 minutes, but can be longer if grafts are needed.

Such surgery can be done with local anaesthesia and sedation if requested.

The results of this type of surgery are very good, with a low rate of recurrence, but this may happen and be corrected again.

The main cause for the lid turning in or out, is ageing with laxity of the eyelid ligaments and changes in the skin of the eyelid.