Ectropion after lower eye surgery - can this be repaired?

Question

I had upper and lower eye surgeries back in March 2022 and I am experiencing severe ectropian that is also irritating my eyes making them extremely teary at night. I already had Canthopexy done on both. Left eye was done twice and right eye where the pulling is prominent was repaired only once. It started putting down after 2 weeks of the procedure. Can this be repaired? Iif so, is it a matter of healing time or would another surgery be required?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Yes, it will require more surgery. Canthoplasty is not powerful enough to fix what is wrong with your eyelids. I am attaching a graphic video that shows how this work is performed. Please be careful what its offered to you. Your surgeon may be motivated to help you but they may lack the surgical knowledge to repair your issue. What happens in these circumstances is that well meaning surgeons remove more an more of the eyelid. The eyelid is not the problem. Do not well meaning surgeons to whittle away your lower eyelids. These tissues are needed to be preserved for the definitive repair of your issue. A detailed in person examination is recommended.

Ayse Dolar Bilge, MD · Answer

You have severe lower eyelid retraction. You probably need skin grafting. Also massage and anti scar injections can help.

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

You have significant cicatricial lower eyelid ectropion. You likely need lower eyelid skin graft but need more detailed evaluation to determine. See an expert.

Ectropion after lower eye surgery - can this be repaired?

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Ectropion after lower eye surgery - can this be repaired?

Answers (3)

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