Technique of eyelid surgery due to old age

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Hoang Thanh Nga - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital. The doctor has 10 years of experience in the field of ophthalmology.

Entropion is a condition in which the eyelids roll inward towards the eye, so that the eyelashes are constantly rubbing against the cornea and conjunctiva. Enlarged eyelids are not only found in infants but also in the elderly. Indications for eyelid surgery in the elderly depend on the cause of each specific case.

Entropion is the term that describes the curling of the eyelid margin into the eyeball, resulting in the eyelashes being repeatedly rubbed against the cornea and conjunctiva, damaging these structures. Enlarged eyelids in the elderly often appear on the lower eyelids, most of the eyelids in the elderly are above the eyes that are concave due to the loss of orbital fat, losing the back support of the eyelids, causing the eyelid margins to fall out. back and inside. Eyelashes rub against the surface of the eyeball, causing tearing, oozing, and even keratitis.

A common cause of droopy eyelids is the laxity of the tissues that support the eyelids due to aging, which leads to a roll of the eyelid margin into the eyeball. In addition, also due to facial deflation in the eyelids, trauma or congenital trachoma. Enlarged eyelids have symptoms such as:
Excessive tearing Blurred vision Leaky eyes Coarse like sand in the eyes Pain when exposed to light Squeeze eyelids if not treated will cause some complications such as corneal scarring, increasing the risk of corneal ulcers. This can lead to vision loss or even complete blindness. Because of this, entropion should be treated before permanent complications appear.

Eyelid surgery due to old age is a treatment method for inward rolling of the eyelids, to avoid complications caused by eyelashes rubbing against the cornea in some diseases in the elderly. The surgery will tighten the lashes and their attachments. However, this method should be contraindicated in cases where local surgery and systemic conditions do not allow it.
Before surgery, patients need to clean their eyes first, take pictures of entropion lesions before surgery. In addition, the doctor will advise and explain to the patient before surgery. Techniques performed during geriatric entropion include:
2.1. Anesthesia Give the patient orally or inject a sedative and analgesia Anesthetize if the surgery is planned to be prolonged or if the patient is uncooperative Local anesthesia 2.2. Technique of surgery of lower eyelids due to old age Incision of the eyelid skin is 2mm from the lower eyelid margin. Incision of the skin according to the length of the eyelids Anatomy of the sphincter muscle, the septum of the eye can remove the herniated fat, Cut the excess eyelid skin, Stitch the skin edge to the lower margin of the eyelid cartilage, Sew the eyelid skin See more: Causes of entropion in eye
2.3. Follow-up after surgery

Patients need to be re-examined 1 day after surgery and 1 week and 1 month after surgery. After 1 week, the thread will be removed.
Surgery on eyelids due to old age can cause some complications such as bleeding, infection of the surgical site,... Therefore, the patient needs to be cleaned well to prevent infection. Alternatively, if the patient needs to delay surgery, eye lubricating solutions and pomat can be used to help alleviate symptoms. However, this method does not have long-term therapeutic results.
In summary, age-related entropion is an inward curl of the eyelid margin toward the eye, usually occurring on the lower eyelid. Most of the eyelids in the elderly are on the concave eyes due to the loss of orbital fat, losing the back support of the eyelids, causing the eyelid margins to fall back and inward. Age-related entropion surgery is a treatment method for inward curling of the eyelids, to avoid complications caused by eyelashes rubbing against the cornea in some diseases in the elderly. After surgery, patients need to be re-examined after 1 week and 1 month to evaluate the results, as well as promptly handle if complications occur.
Advice from a specialist: Patients should see a doctor soon because this disease not only causes discomfort, but can also cause some complications affecting visual function such as: keratitis, corneal ulcers .
Eye health care is an important part of general health. In order to detect the risk of eye diseases early, you need to be examined and diagnosed with eye problems early, to avoid long-term progression of the disease, which can easily lead to unfortunate complications, especially affecting your health. seriously affect the health and life of the elderly.
Eye specialties at Vinmec International General Hospital are international standard medical facilities with the function of examining and treating many eye diseases. Accordingly, the Eye specialist at Vinmec has achieved comprehensive quality in both professional and medical services, bringing satisfaction to customers.