【Causes・Disease】

Entropion is a condition in which the eyelashes are rubbing the cornea because the eyelashes grow inward for some reason, commonly known as “inverted eyelashes”.
The original eyelashes naturally curl from the edge of eyelid to the outside (opposite direction to the eyeball) so that they do not touch the eyeball, but when they grow inverted, they may touch the eyeball, causing damage to the eyeball and the cornea.

Entropion includes 3 disease names: eyelash disorder, eyelash inversion and eyelid inversion.

・Eyelash disorder
There is no abnormality of the eyelid, some of the eyelashes are growing towards the eyeballs. The irregular eyelashes are caused by scars due to the inflammation around the hair follicles of eyelashes.

・Eyelash inversion
Although the eyelid orientation is normal, the eyelashes are pushed in the direction of the eyeball by the raised skin due to the skin and subcutaneous fat of the lower eyelid. It is common in children, and when the children’ faces become tight around 5 years old, it often heals naturally, and if the degree is not severe, it is common to observe the progress.

・Eyelid inversion
It is a state in which the entire eyelid, not just the eyelashes, turns inward (the direction of the eyeball). It is mainly caused by aging, which causes the eyelid tissue and muscles to loosen, or the skin of the eyelid to sag.

Eyelash disorder

Eyelash disorder

Eyelash inversion

Eyelash disorder

Eyelid inversion

Eyelash disorder

【Symptoms】

Entropion can cause eyelashes to scratch against the eyeball, causing corneal damage, eye discomfort, teary eyes, pain, congestion, and other symptoms. In severe cases, it can also cause vision decline.

【Treatment】

In the case of children, since entropion will improve with growth, it is more common to keep children’ eyes clean, use eye drops for eye secretions and corneal damage, and observe the progress of the disease.
If the children reach the school age and there is no tendency for entropion to improve, vision decline due to severe symptoms, corneal damage and astigmatism will require surgical treatment.
If the entropion is caused by aging, it will not improve on its own. Removing the eyelashes that touch the eyeball will temporarily improve the symptoms, but since the eyelashes will recur after they grow out, surgical treatment should be considered when the pain and inflammation are obvious.
In addition, after cutting or pulling out the eyelashes, pointed eyelashes may grow next time and damage the cornea, so extra attention is needed when dealing with it.

【Summary】

Surgery is necessary if the symptoms of entropion are severe. Eyelashes may hit the cornea and cause scratches by the cause of entropion, which may cause vision decline.
It is important to go to an ophthalmologist instead of making self-judgments.