If your eyes are irritated or crusty, you might be suffering from ectropion. This medical condition can also cause you to experience vision issues and other problems. Fortunately, you can easily correct this eye problem by getting a quick procedure at The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL. This eyelid procedure is a great way to improve your eye irritation, vision issues, and other eye problems.
How Is Ectropion Treated?
Ectropion develops when your eyelid changes position and sags away from your eyeball. This issue may affect one or both of your eyelids. It’s common for this problem to affect your lower eyelids. When you develop this condition, your ophthalmologist or optometrist may refer you to our center for additional treatment.
We can treat your eye problem by performing a quick procedure that will improve the condition of your eyelids. During this procedure, we will use specialized techniques to change the position of your eyelids. It will usually take us about 10 to 20 minutes per eyelid. After we have completed the procedure, we will use sutures to close your incisions.
Why Have I Developed This Eye Issue?
There are a number of factors that can cause Ectropion, but most commonly it is increasing age that will cause you to develop this eye problem.
The Effects of Age
The muscles and tendons that are located beneath your eyes will lose strength over time. As your muscles and tendons weaken, they will struggle to hold your eyelids in the proper positions against your eyes. Over time, your eyelids may move into improper positions that cause you to experience eye problems.
Prior Injuries or Procedures
If you have injured the skin on your eyelids in the past, you are more likely to suffer from this issue. These injuries can weaken your tissues and change the position of your eyelids.
In addition, receiving certain types of eyelid procedures can increase your chances of developing this problem. For example, if a large amount of skin was removed from your eyelids during an aesthetic procedure, you may develop eye issues in the future.
Medical Issues
Some medical issues can affect the behavior of your eyelids. For example, Bell’s palsy is a condition that impacts the behavior of your nerves and muscles. This medical problem can damage the muscles on your eyelids. In addition, growths that form on your eyelids can change the position of your tissues and negatively impact your eyes.
What Are the Symptoms of This Eye Issue?
When you are healthy, your eyelids help your eyes stay moisturized. Every time that you blink, your eyelids will move your tears across the surface of your eyes. After your tears lubricate your eyes, they will go into openings that are located on the inside of your eyelids. These openings are called puncta. Draining away your tears allows your eyes to function properly.
Unfortunately, if one or both your eyelids moves into an incorrect position, your tears will not be able to properly moisturize your eyes. This problem can cause you to experience a number of negative symptoms.
Irritated Eyes
Excessive moisture and other problems can cause your eyes to become irritated. You might develop burning feelings in your eyelids and eyes. Your eyes may also feel dry or gritty. These eye issues can be very uncomfortable, and you might struggle to focus on your duties at your job or at home.
Excessive Tears
When your tears cannot drain away, moisture can gather in your eyes. These excessive tears may stream out of your eyes and make you look like you are always crying.
Sensitivity Issues
Ectropion can cause the surface of your cornea to become damaged. This issue can make your eyes very sensitive to light.
Vision Changes
This issue may also cause your cornea to become irritated and inflamed. Over time, this damage can create vision issues. If you do not treat this problem, you could suffer from permanent vision losses.
How Is This Eye Issue Diagnosed?
If you are suffering from eye issues, you should visit your primary care doctor or ophthalmologist. These medical professionals can use several different techniques to diagnose the cause of your eye problem.
Talking To Your Doctor
You should be prepared to discuss the eye issues and other symptoms that you are experiencing. In addition, your doctor is likely to ask you about any eye issues that you’ve had in the past and any eyelids procedures that you’ve received. In addition to talking about your eye issues, you should be prepared to describe all of the medications and supplements that you are taking.
You should also try to bring in old photographs that show your eyes clearly. These photographs can help your medical provider determine how your eyes have changed as you’ve aged.
Receiving a Physical Examination
Your medical provider will also carefully examine your eyelids. During this examination, your doctor might gently pull on one or both of your eyelids and tell you to open and close your eyes.
Can I Use Non-Invasive Methods To Treat This Eye Issue?
Your medical provider may advise you to use medications and other methods to improve your negative symptoms. For example, you could use steroid ointments or eye drops. In addition, you may be told to tape your eyelids during the nighttime.
Although these treatments may temporarily improve your symptoms, they do not provide the same benefits as an eyelid procedure. If your symptoms continue to bother you, you should consider visiting our office to learn more about our eyelid procedure. This technique can be a good way to resolve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
How Should I Prepare for My Eyelid Procedure?
After you schedule your eyelid procedure, we will give you detailed instructions about how to prepare for your appointment. For example, you might need to stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements before we improve your eyelids.
Since you will feel tired after your procedure is complete, you should ask a family member or friend to drive you home from our outpatient procedure center. In addition, you should be prepared to take it easy while you are recovering.
What Will My Eyelid Procedure Be Like?
Since this is an outpatient procedure, you’ll be able to return to your home after we have finished correcting your eyelids. Under most circumstances, we will use IV sedation to keep you comfortable during your procedure. When you receive this type of anesthesia, we will administer a sedative that will help you feel relaxed. Next, we will numb your eyelids with a local anesthetic. These medications will prevent you from feeling discomfort during your procedure.
Once you are sedated, we will begin to improve your eyelid or eyelids. The specific techniques that we use during your procedure will depend on the condition of your eyelids. For example, we may remove some of the tissues in your lower eyelid or eyelids. We can also tighten the muscles and tendons in this area of your body.
Will You Improve Both of My Eyelids During This Procedure?
This medical issue can affect the eyelids on one or both of your eyes. When you have your initial consultation with us, we will carefully examine your eyes. At this point, we will determine whether we will need to improve one or both of your eyelids.
How Soon Will I Experience the Benefits of Surgery?
This eyelid procedure usually works very quickly. After we have moved your eyelids into the proper position, your eyes should stop feeling irritated and teary. If you have been dealing with your eye issue for a long time, you will probably feel very relieved when your negative symptoms improve. As a result, you will have an easier time performing at your job, socializing with your friends, and enjoying other aspects of your life.
Will It Take My Eyelids a Long Time To Recover?
It’s normal for your eyelids to take some time to completely recover from your procedure. In general, your eyelids will feel normal within about two weeks. To help your eyelids recover in a quick, easy fashion, you will need to follow all of the instructions that we give you. For example, you should place cold compresses on your affected tissues for the next one to two days.
We will also ask you to put a steroid ointment or topical antibiotic into your eyes twice every day. You’ll need to use this medication for one week. To ensure that your tissues are having a good response to your eyelid procedure, you’ll need to have follow-up visits at our office. During these meetings, we will look at your eyelids and analyze your reaction to your procedure.
Will My Health Insurance Pay for Me To Fix This Eye Issue?
This procedure is usually performed to decrease the discomfort, excessive tears, and other negative symptoms caused by your eye problem. As a result, many insurance policies will pay for the cost of your procedure. To determine whether your eyelid procedure will be covered, you should contact your insurance agent.
Can I Use Other Methods To Improve My Eyelids?
Ectropion isn’t the only eye issue that you are more likely to experience as you age. In addition to this medical problem, your eyelids may begin to droop and sag over time. You may also develop noticeable bags under your eyes. These changes will make you look tired, sleepy, or upset. We can use aesthetic techniques to improve these issues.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
This type of procedure is designed to fix baggy, loose eyelids. During your procedure, we will make small incisions in the crease of each of your upper eyelids. These incisions will allow us to eliminate excess fat and skin from this area of your body. After your eyelids heal, your eyes will look more youthful and you will appear to be more alert and energetic.
A blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure with a short recovery period. In general, you’ll need to apply cold compasses to your eyelids for two to three days and use an antibiotic ointment for a week. We will usually remove the sutures from your eyelids within about five to seven days.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Receiving a lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be a great way to remove bags and loose skin underneath your eyes. During this type of eyelid procedure, we will make small incisions on the outside or inside of your eyelids. These incisions will allow us to remove unnecessary skin and fat from your body.
Fix Your Eyes
Ectropion can cause your eyes to feel irritated and uncomfortable. If you do not treat this eye problem in a timely fashion, you could also develop vision issues and other problems. Fortunately, you can correct this issue easily by getting a quick, outpatient procedure. To learn more about the benefits of this eyelid procedure, contact us at The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL.