Something in the eye
A scratchy feeling, like an eyelash poking the eye, worse when you blink.
Entropion Surgery in Singapore
Entropion turns the eyelid in, so the lashes rub the eye. This page covers why it happens, what eases it for now, and the operation that turns the lid back out.
- Oculoplastic surgeon Dr Jason Lee
- Over 18 years in ophthalmology
- Same-day appointments, subject to availability
Camden (Orchard)OculoplasticsEyelids
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An oculoplastic surgeon
Dr Jason Lee, Senior Consultant Eye Surgeon and Medical Director, trained in the eyelids, the orbit and the tear system in fellowships in Taiwan and China.
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The lid is examined first
A scratchy eye has several causes. Whether the lid has turned in, or only a few lashes, decides the treatment.
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Surgery at Camden
Entropion surgery is carried out at our Camden clinic on Orchard Boulevard.
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What entropion is
An eyelid normally rests against the eye with its lashes pointing outward. In entropion the eyelid rolls inward, usually the lower one, so the lashes brush the eye with every blink.
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The lower lid rolls in, so its lashes rub the eye
In most people it comes with age: the lower lid slackens, and the muscle that holds it in place rides up over its edge and rolls it in. Less often, scarring on the inside of the lid pulls it inward, after an infection, a burn, an injury or an inflammatory condition, and that kind can affect the upper lid too.
Lashes rubbing on the eye can scratch the cornea, its clear front surface, and a scratch left for a long time can become infected. That is why a lid that has turned in is worth treating rather than waiting out.
Ingrown eyelashes (trichiasis)
Sometimes the lid sits where it should, but a few eyelashes grow inwards, towards the eye. This is trichiasis. It feels the same, but the lid does not need moving, so it is treated differently.
Lashes scratching your eye? Talk to our friendly staff for an appointment with Dr Jason Lee.
Entropion symptoms: what you may notice
A watering eye
Tears and sometimes discharge, as the eye tries to wash the lashes away.
A red, sore eye
Redness and discomfort in bright light, where the lashes have rubbed.
How entropion is treated
The first step is protecting the eye while the lid is assessed.
- 1 Soothing the surface. Lubricating drops or ointment ease the rubbing in the meantime.
- 2 Holding the lid out. Tape on the skin below the lid can keep it turned out for a while. It is a stop-gap, not a cure.
- 3 Repositioning it. For most people, a short operation that turns the lid back out and tightens it is the lasting fix.
Entropion surgery: turning and tightening the lid
The entropion operation deals with the two things that let the lid roll in. It is usually done as one procedure.
- Turning it out. Stitches, or a small repair to the muscle under the lid, rotate its edge back outward.
- Tightening it. The lid is shortened slightly at the outer corner, so it sits firmly against the eye.
In a trial, turning and tightening the lid together held better than turning it alone. Which repair suits you is decided with Dr Jason at your consultation.
Ingrown eyelash (trichiasis) treatment
A few stray ingrown lashes can be plucked out in clinic in minutes. They usually grow back, often the same way, so plucking is repeated when they do.
Anaesthetic
Local, with the eyelid numbed. You are awake, and the operation typically takes under an hour.
Stitches
Fine stitches hold the lid in place, and are removed or dissolve within about two weeks.
Afterwards
Bruising settles over one to two weeks. Avoid rubbing the eye while it heals.
Entropion surgery is carried out by Dr Jason Lee at our Camden clinic, and only once the lid has been examined.
Entropion or something else?
A scratchy, watering eye is not always a lid that has turned in, and the cause decides the treatment.
- Entropion. The lid edge rolls in, carrying a whole row of lashes onto the eye, often more when you squeeze the eyes shut.
- Ingrown eyelashes. The lid sits normally, but a few lashes point towards the eye.
- Ectropion. The opposite: the lower lid sags outward, away from the eye, so it waters and feels dry.
- Dry eye. A gritty, burning eye with nothing touching it, treated with drops rather than surgery.
That is why the lid is examined before anything is decided. An eye that waters with a sticky discharge can be a blocked tear duct instead, which has its own page.
What entropion surgery costs
The surgery fee depends on whether one or both lids need repair and on the method, so it is quoted once the lid has been examined.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Camden | |
| First consultation | $174.40 |
| Follow-up consultation | $119.90 |
| Entropion surgery | Please enquire |
All fees shown are nett, with GST included. The surgery is charged separately, only where it is needed, and is quoted at your consultation. MediSave and Corporate and Personal Insurance can be used towards eligible surgery; we confirm what applies to you when you are seen.
Who carries out entropion surgery
Entropion surgery at The Straits Eye Centre is carried out by Dr Jason Lee, whose subspecialty is oculoplastics: the eyelids, the orbit and the tear drainage system. Talk to us for a quick appointment.
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Dr Jason Lee
Senior Consultant & Medical Director
The Straits Eye CentreMBBS · BMedSc · MMed (Ophth) · FRCOphth · FAMS
Common questions
Can entropion go away on its own?
Not usually. Entropion from an ageing lid tends to stay or slowly worsen, because the slack in the lid does not tighten again by itself. One set off by irritation or a recent operation can settle once the cause does.
Can entropion be treated without surgery?
For a while. Lubricating drops or ointment ease the rubbing, and tape on the skin below the lid can hold it out, but neither tightens the lid, so the entropion usually returns when they stop. Surgery is the lasting treatment.
Is entropion serious?
It is not an emergency, but it is worth treating. Lashes rubbing on the eye can scratch the cornea, its clear front surface, and a scratch can become infected. An eye that turns painful and red, or that suddenly cannot bear light, should be seen promptly.
What is the difference between entropion and trichiasis?
In entropion the whole edge of the eyelid rolls inward, carrying its lashes onto the eye. In trichiasis the lid sits where it should, but some lashes grow towards the eye. They feel the same, and they are treated differently: entropion needs the lid moved, trichiasis needs the lashes dealt with.
Will ingrown eyelashes grow back after they are removed?
Usually, yes. A plucked lash grows back, often in the same direction, so plucking eases the rubbing for a while rather than for good. Where many lashes grow inward, or keep coming back, a lasting treatment is discussed at your consultation.
Should I pluck an ingrown eyelash myself?
It is safer not to. So close to the eye, tweezers can scratch the cornea, and a lash that snaps leaves a stiff stub that can rub more than the lash did. In clinic it is plucked out in minutes.
Is an ingrown eyelash the same as a stye?
No. A stye is a tender lump on the edge of the lid, usually an infected lash root. An ingrown eyelash makes no lump: it grows towards the eye and scratches it.
Does entropion surgery hurt?
Not during it. The eyelid is numbed with a local anaesthetic first. Afterwards it is usually sore and bruised for a few days, and ordinary painkillers are generally enough.
How long is the recovery after entropion surgery?
Bruising and swelling usually settle over one to two weeks, and most people are back to ordinary activities within days. Avoid rubbing the eye, swimming and eye make-up while the lid heals, and any skin stitches are removed or dissolve within about two weeks.
Can entropion come back after surgery?
It can, which is why the lid is usually tightened as well as turned: in a trial, that held better than turning it alone. Where it does come back, the lid can be repaired again.
Can I use MediSave or insurance for entropion surgery?
Often, towards part of it. MediSave and Corporate and Personal Insurance can be used towards eligible surgery, and how much applies depends on your plan and the procedure. We confirm it at your consultation at our Camden clinic.
Who treats entropion and ingrown eyelashes?
An eye surgeon, usually one whose subspecialty is oculoplastics: the eyelids, the orbit and the tear drainage system. At The Straits Eye Centre both are treated by Dr Jason Lee, Senior Consultant, at our Camden clinic.
Have a scratchy eye looked at
Tell us which eye, how long it has felt scratchy and whether it waters, and we will arrange the right appointment.
