What the surgery corrects
A lower eyelid that turns outward, away from the eye, is called an ectropion; one that turns inward, so the lashes rub against the surface, is an entropion. Both are usually caused by the lid tissues loosening with age, and both can be genuinely troublesome, causing a watery eye, irritation, redness, and in the case of entropion the constant scratching of lashes against the eye.
Because these conditions affect the comfort and health of the eye rather than only its appearance, the surgery to correct them is functional, and they are very effectively treated once the cause is addressed.
The operation
Both are usually corrected under local anaesthetic as a day case, with the eyelid fully numbed and you awake. The commonest cause is simple laxity of the lower lid, and the core of most repairs is to tighten and reposition the lid so that it sits correctly against the eye again, often through a small incision at the outer corner. For entropion, the muscle and tissue layers that have allowed the lid to roll inward are also repaired so that it turns back to its proper position.
The operation is short, usually well under an hour, and as it is done awake there is no general anaesthetic to recover from.
Recovery
Bruising and swelling around the lid are normal and settle over one to two weeks. There are usually a few fine stitches, and the eye may feel a little gritty for a short while as it heals. Lubricating drops or ointment help in the early days. Most people are comfortable and back to normal activities within a week or two.
Risks and recurrence
These are common, effective operations, but no surgery is certain. The main points to weigh are the small chance of the problem recurring over time, particularly with entropion, as the tissues can loosen again with further ageing, and minor asymmetry or over- or under-correction that occasionally needs a small adjustment. Bruising is expected; infection is uncommon. Overall, satisfaction is high because the surgery typically relieves the watering and irritation that prompted it.
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Visit my private clinic →Common questions
Is ectropion or entropion surgery done under general anaesthetic?
Usually not. It is most often done under local anaesthetic as a day case, with the lid numbed and you awake, which suits many older patients well as there is no general anaesthetic to recover from.
Will the surgery stop my eye watering?
In most cases, yes, where the watering is being caused by the lid sitting in the wrong position. Correcting the lid restores normal tear drainage and contact with the eye. Watering that has more than one cause may improve but not vanish entirely, which is something to discuss beforehand.
Can ectropion or entropion come back?
It can, particularly entropion, because the underlying cause is age-related loosening of the tissues, which can progress. Recurrence is not common in the short term, and if it happens a further repair is usually straightforward.
How long is the recovery?
Bruising and swelling settle over one to two weeks, and most people return to normal activities within that time. The eye may feel slightly gritty for a few days while it heals.
This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Decisions about treatment should be made with a qualified specialist after a full assessment. Last reviewed May 2026 by Chris Matthews, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic Surgeon.
