Inward-Turning Eyelid — Entropion

The medical term used to describe rolling inward of the lower eyelid and eyelashes towards the eye is entropion. The skin of the eyelid and the eyelashes rub against the front of the eye — the cornea — and the mucous membrane that protects the eye (the conjunctiva). This rubbing can lead to excessive tearing, crusting of the eyelid, mucous discharge, a feeling that something is in the eye, irritation of the cornea and impaired vision. In most cases, entropion occurs because of age-related relaxation of the tissues of the eyelid. Some cases result from scarring of the inner surface of the eyelid caused by chemical and thermal burns, inflammatory diseases or allergic reactions.