If your eyelid is turning inwards, it could be a sign of Entropion. This is a condition that affects the eyelid making it turn inwards so that your skin and eyelashes rub against the surface of the eye. This then results in discomfort and irritation.
Your eyelid could be turned in all the time or only when you squeeze your eyelids shut or blink hard. This is a condition that tends to affect older adults, and in most cases, it affects the lower eyelid.
Other symptoms that could accompany your eyelid problem include:
- The feeling of a foreign substance in the eye
- Decreased vision
- Eye redness
- Eye pain or irritation
- Sensitivity to light and wind
- Watery eyes
- Eyelid crusting
There can be a variety of causes of this condition and they are listed below.
Muscle weakness
As you begin to age, the muscles under your eyes naturally begin to weaken causing your tendons to stretch out.
Scars or previous surgeries
Skin that has been scarred by chemical burns, surgery or trauma can distort the normal curve of the eyelid and can be the reason that your eyelid is turning inwards.
Eye infection
An eye infection known as trachoma can cause scarring of the inner eyelid, which leads to entropion and in some cases blindness.
Inflammation
If your eye is suffering from irritation due to inflammation or dryness, you may naturally rub your eyelids or squeeze them shut. However, this could lead to a spasm of the muscles of the eyelids which cause the lid to turn inwards. This is known as spastic entropion.
Developmental condition
When entropion is present at birth it could be caused by an extra fold of skin that is on the eyelid that causes your eyelashes to turn in.
Risk factors
There are some factors that could increase your risk of developing this condition. Consider whether you can match yourself to any of the criteria.
Age
The older you are, the higher your risk of developing the condition.
Previous burns or trauma
If you’ve suffered from an injury or burn on your face, the scar tissue that results from this could put you at higher risk of developing entropion.
Trachoma infection
Since trachoma can scar the inner eyelids, those who have had this infection have a significantly higher chance of developing entropion.
When should I see your local optician
If your eyelid is causing difficulty with your vision, or you are experiencing pain and discomfort, it’s important to consult your optometrist to find the route of the problem and receive the correct treatment.
