When eyelashes poke your eye…

Entropion is a condition in which your eyelid turns inwards instead of outwards.   Your eyelashes then rub against the eye, causing irritation and discomfort.   It can be seen in older adults, but I have also seen it in babies, as well as Asians.   Entropion can eventually cause damage to the cornea, resulting in eye infections and vision loss.

Symptoms

  • The feeling that something is in your eye
  • Eye redness
  • Eye irritation or pain
  • Sensitivity to light and wind
  • Watery eyes (excessive tearing)
  • Mucous discharge and eyelid crusting
  • Decreased vision

Artificial tears and lubricating ointments can help relieve symptoms of entropion.  Often, I will remove a few of the eyelashes during the eye examination.  I have also prescribed contact lenses, which acts as a barrier between the eyelash and the eye.Surgery can also correct entropion.

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