Do your lower eyelids turn outwards, leaving your eyes red, watery, or irritated? You may have a condition called ectropion. I help patients restore comfort, protect their eyes, and improve the appearance of their eyelids with tailored treatment plans.
Dr Lin and team, Thank you for your kind and skillful treatment of my eyelids yesterday.
Mrs SG
Mr Lin, good morning, thank you for much for your call yesterday. It’s fantastic news with the results I’m so thrilled and so grateful to you for your very positive and excellent work, it’s healing really very well. Many thanks. Kindest regards.
Mrs JG
What is Ectropion?
Ectropion happens when the lower eyelid edge turns away from the eye. This can cause:
- Redness or swelling of the inner eyelid lining
- Watering eyes because tears don’t drain properly
- Mucous or crusting on the eyelids
- Discomfort or irritation
- Rarely, if left untreated, infection, scarring, or vision loss
I often see patients who are frustrated by constant tearing, irritation, or difficulty keeping their eyes clean. The good news is that I can help restore both comfort and appearance.
What Causes Ectropion?
Ectropion can develop for several reasons. The most common causes I see are:
- Age-related eyelid sagging: As we get older, the eyelids can loosen and droop.
- Tight lower eyelid skin: Scar tissue or other skin conditions can pull the eyelid outwards.
- Facial paralysis: Conditions like Bell’s palsy can affect eyelid position.
- Lumps or cysts: A heavy lump on the eyelid or cheek can drag the eyelid down.
- Tear-wiping habits: Constantly rubbing or wiping watery eyes can worsen sagging.
Understanding the cause helps me decide the most effective treatment for each patient.
✅ Benefits of Surgery Treatment – How I Can Help
If surgery is needed, I perform it under local anaesthetic as a day case. I tailor the procedure to your eyelid’s needs to provide a long-lasting result.
The operation may involve:
- Tightening the eyelid if laxity is the main cause
- Skin grafts if tight or damaged skin is pulling the eyelid
- Enlarging the tear duct with a stent if it is not draining properly
Most patients notice immediate relief from tearing and irritation, and their eyelids look and feel more natural.
What Happens After Surgery?
Before you leave, I’ll give you clear written instructions and the drops/ointments you’ll need.
- Discomfort: mild and usually settles in a few days. Take paracetamol if needed (but avoid aspirin).
- Swelling & bruising: normal – eased with ice packs (like frozen peas in a towel) and sleeping with your head propped up.
- Cleaning: use cooled, boiled water to gently clean the eyelids.
- Stitches: I normally use dissolving stitches, so nothing needs to be removed.
Recovery timeline:
- Driving/work: usually fine within a few days, once the dressing is removed and your vision is clear.
- Exercise: light activity is fine after a few days; avoid heavy lifting, running, or strenuous workouts for four weeks.
- Make-up: wait until any scabs have fallen off.
- Contact lenses: avoid for at least two weeks.
⚠️ Risks to Consider
I perform many hundreds of eyelid operations every year. I use my experience to minimise risks, but as with any surgery, some problems can happen.
Common and temporary:
- Bruising/swelling: normal, settles in a few weeks
- Blurred vision: may last for a few days
- Bleeding: usually mild and stops quickly; if not, contact me
Very rare:
- Infection: may need antibiotics
- Recurrence: the eyelid can loosen again with age
- Scarring: usually hidden in natural eyelid creases; ointments and massage can help
- Asymmetry: eyelids may not look perfectly identical afterwards, usually the treated side looks better!
- Severe bleeding behind the eye: this could threaten vision, which is why I advise avoiding aspirin and heavy exertion for several weeks after surgery. You will have my direct contact details in case of emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ectropion get better on its own?
No, it usually gets worse with time unless treated.
How long does the operation take?
Most procedures take less than an hour, and you go home the same day.
Is the surgery painful?
You may feel some pressure, but local anaesthetic prevents pain. Discomfort afterwards is usually mild.
Take the First Step Today
Don’t let ectropion hold you back from enjoying life—whether it’s reading, driving, or just feeling confident. I’m here to help with expert care and a friendly approach. Contact my clinic to book your appointment, or explore other eyelid conditions I treat to learn more.
📞 Call my clinic or 📩 send an enquiry to arrange your appointment.