senile entropion

Senile Entropion: A Condition Characterized by Inward Turning of the Eyelid

Senile entropion is a medical condition that affects older adults, typically those aged 60 years and older [11]. It is characterized by the inward turning of the eyelid, usually the lower eyelid, causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea [10][9]. This can lead to irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the eye surface.

Symptoms and Effects

The symptoms of senile entropion may include:

• Feeling like there's something in your eye
• Red eyes
• Tearing (watering)
• Irritation and discomfort

If left untreated, senile entropion can lead to more severe complications, such as corneal ulcers or vision loss [11].

Causes and Treatment

The exact cause of senile entropion is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to degenerative tissue changes in the eyelid [15]. Treatment options for senile entropion include:

• Botulinum toxin A injections
• Surgery to reapproximate normal lower lid anatomy
• Conservative treatment with ocular lubricants

It's essential to consult a medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of senile entropion.

References

[9] Senile entropion is the inward rotation of the tarsus and lid margin so that the lashes come into contact with the ocular surface. [10] Senile entropion is an age-related medical condition characterized by the inward turning of the eyelid, typically the lower eyelid, causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea. This can lead to irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the eye surface. [11] Involutional entropion is a troublesome eyelid malposition commonly encountered in elderly patients, with a prevalence reported as high as 2.1% in those aged 60 years and older. [15] The etiology and surgery of senile entropion are reviewed. Many of the presumptive causes of this clinical entity including the vague neurological etiology which caused it to be labeled "spastic" have been found baseless, and the explanation of the elder Fuchs, later confirmed by Duke-Elder, that the cause of senile entropion is due to degenerative tissue changes has been found to be more accurate.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Senile Entropion

Senile entropion, also known as involutional or age-related entropion, is a type of eye condition that affects the eyelid. As people age, the eyelid can fold inward, causing irritation, discharge, crusting, and swelling in the affected eye.

Common Symptoms:

• Feeling like there's something in your eye [1]
• Red eyes [2]
• Tearing (watering) [1]
• Blurry vision [1]
• Eye pain [1]
• Itching [1]

In addition to these symptoms, senile entropion can also cause the eyelid to appear shorter and chubbier than usual, with the eye appearing very reddened [8]. If left untreated, this condition can lead to damage to the cornea, eye infections, and vision loss.

Other Signs:

• Sensitivity to light [7]
• Decreasing vision [7]
• Rapidly increasing redness in your eyes [7]

It's essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms, as prompt treatment can help prevent further complications.

Senile entropion, also known as involutional entropion, can be diagnosed through various tests and examinations.

• Lid distraction test: This test involves displacing the lower eyelid anteriorly from the globe to assess its laxity. [5][12]
• Lid snapback test: This test evaluates the tarsal integrity by pulling the lower lid away and down from the globe for several seconds. [5][13]
• Slit-lamp examination: A thorough eye examination using a slit lamp can help identify involution of the eyelid and lash margin, which is characteristic of senile entropion. [12][13]
• Tear meniscus height (TMH) test: Although primarily used to diagnose dry eye, TMH can also be used to assess the laxity of the lower eyelid. [14]

These diagnostic tests are essential in identifying senile entropion and evaluating its severity. A correct diagnosis is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment plan.

References: [5] - 5. Feb 24, 2020 — Other Tests · Snap-back test. [12] - 12. Entropion is an inversion or inward turning of the eyelid margin. This can result in trichiasis, where the eyelashes are directed posteriorly toward the globe. [13] - 13. entropion. Diagnosis can be made by identification of involution of the eyelid and lash margin on slit­lamp ex­ amination. [14] - 14. The primary purpose of this test is to diagnose and evaluate the severity of dry eye, however it could be used to assess the laxity of the lower eyelid.

Treatment Options for Senile Entropion

Senile entropion, a condition where the eyelid turns inward, can be treated with various methods, including drug treatment. According to medical research, botulinum toxin injections have been shown to be effective in treating senile entropion.

• Botulinum Toxin Injections: Studies have demonstrated that injecting botulinum toxin into the preseptal orbicularis muscle of the lower lid can provide relief from symptoms in patients with senile entropion. This treatment approach has been found to be safe and effective, producing a high success rate in some cases [7][8].
• Duration of Relief: The duration of relief provided by botulinum toxin injections varies, but on average, it lasts for around 14.8 weeks before the orbicularis function returns [4][14]. This temporary treatment can be useful in selected patients, particularly those with spastic entropion.
• Comparison to Surgery: While surgery is considered the most effective and permanent solution for treating entropion, botulinum toxin injections offer a simpler and less invasive alternative. However, it's essential to note that surgery provides a more definitive cure, and the condition rarely returns after surgical treatment [4].

Key Points

• Botulinum toxin injections can provide relief from symptoms in patients with senile entropion.
• The duration of relief varies but averages around 14.8 weeks.
• This temporary treatment is useful for selected patients, particularly those with spastic entropion.

References:

[1] [4] [7] [8] [14]

Note: The numbers in square brackets refer to the search results provided in the context.

Differential Diagnoses of Senile Entropion

Senile entropion, also known as involutional entropion, is a type of entropion that occurs due to the loss of eyelid elasticity and muscle tone as part of the aging process. When considering differential diagnoses for senile entropion, several conditions should be taken into account.

• Epiblepharon: This condition involves an overriding pretarsal muscle, which can cause similar symptoms to entropion. However, epiblepharon is typically seen in children and young adults, whereas senile entropion occurs in older individuals [3].
• Trichiasis: Trichiasis refers to the misdirection of eyelashes, which can cause discomfort and irritation. While trichiasis shares some similarities with entropion, it is a distinct condition that requires separate management [3].
• Distichiasis: This rare condition involves the growth of an additional row of eyelashes, which can cause irritation and discomfort. Like epiblepharon and trichiasis, distichiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for senile entropion [4].
• Ectropion: Ectropion is a condition characterized by the outward turning of the eyelid margin, which can lead to exposure of the conjunctiva. While ectropion shares some similarities with entropion, it requires separate management and consideration in the differential diagnosis [3].

Key Points

• Senile entropion is a type of involutional entropion caused by loss of eyelid elasticity and muscle tone.
• Epiblepharon, trichiasis, distichiasis, and ectropion are important differential diagnoses for senile entropion.

References:

[3] Feb 1, 2016 - Differential diagnosis. Entropion should be differentiated from epiblepharon (overriding pretarsal muscle), trichiasis (misdirection of eyelashes), distichiasis (growth of an additional row of eyelashes), and ectropion (outward turning of the eyelid margin).

[4] by L Skorin Jr · 2018 · Cited by 2 — ... entropion, there are several other important differential diagnoses to consider. These are epiblepharon, trichiasis, distichiasis, and ectropion.

Note: The above answer is based on the context provided, which includes search results containing brief descriptions of relevant content.