Eyelid Surgeries

 

The eyelids protect your eye and spread the tears to keep the eyes moist.  They also contain a small tear duct that carries the excess tears away from your eyes.  Some eyelid disease result in droopy eyelid, or eyelids rolling outwards (away from the eye), or inwards, (towards the eye).  Eyelids can develop lumps, some are benign, but others can be nasty (eg skin cancer).

 

Ectropion

Rolling forward (away from the eye) of the eyelid margin usually happens with age.  The eye looks red, feels uncomfortable and most patients will develop a watery eye.  Eye drops and ointment will be needed to maintain the  moist  surface of the eye.  Surgery is usually needed to correct this problem.

 

Entropion

Rolling inwards (towards the eye) of the lid margin results in irritation of the eye as the eyelashes rub against the eyeball.  As a temporary measure, the eyelid can be rolled out by the use of tape, correcting procedure or surgery as a definitive treatment.

 

Droopy Eye Lid

Droopy eyelid is usually age related.  However, some babies are born with droopy eyelids.  Depending on the degree of the droop and the effect of it, surgery may be required to correct the problem.

 

Eyelid Tumours

The eyelid may develop skin cancer.  Mostely BCC (basal cell carcinoma), but sometimes SCC (squamous cell carcinoma), melanoma and other types of tumours may develop.

Not every swelling of the eyelid is a tumour.  In young people, most lumps of the eyelid are caused by a benign cyst (chalazion). Eyelid tumours are treated with surgery.

 

Surgery of the eyelid

Surgery of the eyelid is performed under local anaesthetics and if needed, sedation in the veins.  Usually the surgery is performed as a day procedure in a hospital.   The eye is covered with a bandage after surgery surgery and you can go home, provided you have someone who is able to be home with you on the first night after the surgery.  You cannot drive while an eye is covered.  Depending on the surgery, the surgeon will advise you when you are able to drive.  You may need some pain killers after the surgery.

 

Risks

Risks include bruising, discomfort and pain. Sometimes you may need more than one surgery to correct the problem. Slight asymmetry may happen, but usually it is minimal and not very obvious.