Entropion
Alternate Names : Turning in of the Eyelid, Inversion of the Eyelid
Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid margin turns in against the eyeball, or inverts. This inversion causes the eyelashes to rub against the surface of the eye.
What is going on in the body?
Entropion usually occurs when the upper or lower eyelid loses elasticity as a person ages. The eyelid margin tends to fold inward toward the eyeball.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Entropion usually involves the lower lid, and can be caused by:
muscle spasms
inflammation or injury
complications of eye surgery
scarring from burns or injury
birth defects
changes due to aging, as the muscles in the lower lid lose their tone
When there is involvement of the upper lid, it is usually related to long-standing inflammation. A common cause is trachoma, an eye infection that is present in many Third World nations and related to eyelid hygiene.
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