Entropion is an eyelid that rolls inward, so the lashes and lid-margin skin rub against the cornea and conjunctiva. The result is constant foreign-body sensation, redness, reflex watering, light sensitivity and – importantly – recurrent corneal abrasions that risk scarring and infection. Because the cause is mechanical, drops only soothe the symptoms; the definitive treatment is a short eyelid operation that re-tightens and repositions the lid so the lashes turn away from the eye.
What entropion is and why it needs surgery
The most common form is involutional (age-related) lower-lid entropion, driven by a combination of horizontal eyelid laxity, slippage of the lower-lid retractor muscles and over-riding of the orbicularis muscle. Less commonly entropion is cicatricial (from scarring of the inner lid lining after injury, inflammation or conditions such as ocular cicatricial pemphigoid), congenital (epiblepharon in children), or spastic.
Whatever the cause, the lashes are in contact with the cornea, and that contact will not resolve with lubricants alone. Left untreated it leads to recurrent corneal erosions, scarring and, occasionally, sight-threatening infection – which is why surgical correction is recommended once the diagnosis is confirmed. You can read more in our entropion condition guide.
Surgical options for entropion
The right procedure depends on the cause. Age-related entropion is corrected definitively by re-tightening and reattaching the lid; frail patients can have a quick temporising procedure; scarring (cicatricial) entropion needs the inner lid lining lengthened with a graft.
If your lid turns outward rather than inward, see ectropion surgery; if you also have lid-margin inflammation, our blepharitis treatment may help settle the surrounding tissue first.
Not sure which type of entropion you have? A single consultation confirms the diagnosis and the right repair for your lid.
Book your assessmentHow entropion surgery is done
The standard definitive procedure for involutional lower-lid entropion combines retractor reinsertion – reattaching the slipped muscle to the lower border of the tarsal plate – with a lateral tarsal strip that tightens the lax lid and re-anchors it inside the orbital rim. It is performed as a day case under local anaesthetic, with optional mild oral sedation for anxious patients.
Through a fine incision just below the lashes, the surgeon corrects both the slack and the muscle attachment and closes with absorbable sutures. Surgery takes about 30–45 minutes per lid, or 60–75 minutes for both. For frail patients who cannot tolerate the longer operation, quick everting (Quickert) sutures correct the lid in 10–15 minutes as a temporising measure. You are usually home within one to two hours.
Recovery and aftercare
First 48 hours
Cold compresses and head-up sleeping reduce bruising and swelling. Most patients feel immediate relief from the grittiness, watering and light sensitivity. Use the prescribed antibiotic ointment.
First week
Most people return to desk-based work within 3–7 days. Driving is usually possible from 24 hours if you feel confident. Avoid eye make-up around the lid for about 2 weeks.
2–3 weeks
Back to normal social life. Swimming and high-impact sport are best avoided until the lid has fully settled. Any non-absorbable sutures are removed at review if needed.
3–12 months
The subciliary scar settles by around 3 months and continues to fade over 6–12 months, with long-term cosmesis usually excellent. The 5-year recurrence rate is about 10–20% as lid laxity progresses with age.
Entropion surgery cost in the UK (2026)
Private self-pay entropion repair in the UK in 2026 is typically £2,200–3,800 per lid for the standard involutional procedure (retractor reinsertion plus lateral tarsal strip), all-inclusive of the consultant oculoplastic assessment, the day-case surgery under local anaesthetic, post-operative ointment, suture removal and a 6-week follow-up. Bilateral lower-lid surgery is £3,500–5,800 same-session, and cicatricial entropion needing a posterior lamellar graft is £3,800–6,500 per lid.
Most major UK insurers (Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA) cover entropion surgery where there is documented lash-cornea contact with symptoms, subject to pre-authorisation; we prepare the clinical pack. See our entropion & ectropion price guide or the full price list.
Entropion surgery FAQs
How much does private entropion eyelid surgery cost in London in 2026?
Private self-pay entropion repair in the UK in 2026 typically costs £2,200–3,800 per lid for the standard involutional lower-lid procedure (retractor reinsertion plus lateral tarsal strip), all-inclusive of the consultant oculoplastic assessment, the day-case surgery under local anaesthetic, post-operative ointment, suture removal and a 6-week follow-up. Bilateral lower-lid surgery is £3,500–5,800 same-session, and cicatricial entropion needing a posterior lamellar graft is £3,800–6,500 per lid.
What exactly is entropion and why does it need surgery?
Entropion is an eyelid that rolls inward, so the lashes and lid-margin skin rub against the cornea. This causes constant grittiness, redness, watering, light sensitivity and, importantly, recurrent corneal abrasions that risk scarring and infection. The commonest form is age-related (involutional) lower-lid entropion, driven by eyelid laxity and slippage of the lid’s retractor muscles. Because the problem is mechanical, drops and lubricants only soothe the symptoms – surgery is the definitive fix.
What does the surgery involve and how long does it take?
The standard definitive procedure for involutional lower-lid entropion combines retractor reinsertion (to fix the slipped muscle attachment) with a lateral tarsal strip (to tighten the lax lid). It is a day-case operation under local anaesthetic with optional mild sedation, taking about 30–45 minutes per lid (60–75 minutes for both lids). For frail patients, quick everting (Quickert) sutures can correct the lid in 10–15 minutes as a temporising measure, though recurrence is higher.
Will the surgery work first time and what is the recurrence rate?
In experienced oculoplastic hands the combined retractor reinsertion plus lateral tarsal strip procedure corrects the lid immediately in about 95–98% of cases, with a 5-year recurrence rate of roughly 10–20% as eyelid laxity continues to progress with age. Quickert sutures alone recur more often (20–50%) and are reserved for temporising. Recurrent entropion is treated with revisional surgery, which is usually successful.
How long is the recovery from entropion surgery?
Most patients return to desk-based work within 3–7 days and to normal social life within 2–3 weeks. Bruising and swelling are eased with cold compresses and head-up sleeping for the first 48 hours, and most people feel immediate relief from the grittiness and watering. Eye make-up, swimming and high-impact sport are best avoided for about 2 weeks. The subciliary scar settles by around 3 months and fades over 6–12 months.
Will I need a general anaesthetic?
No, in almost all cases. Entropion repair is performed under local anaesthetic infiltrated into the eyelid, with optional mild oral sedation for anxious patients. Most people find the local anaesthetic injection the only uncomfortable part; the surgery itself is painless and you are usually home within one to two hours. General anaesthetic is reserved for those unable to lie still, very young children, or complex extensive procedures.