Change in Ocular Tear Film After Entropion Repair Surgery in Involutional Entropion

To quantitatively evaluate the effect of corrective surgery for involutional entropion on tear film parameters-specifically lipid layer thickness (LLT), meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and incomplete blinking (IB)-using interferometry and meibography. A retrospective analysis was performed on 24 patients (48 eyes) diagnosed with involutional entropion who underwent corrective surgery. Tear film LLT, blinking patterns, MGD grade, Schirmer test, tear break-up time (BUT), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were measured pre- and postoperatively using the LipiView II Ocular Surface Interferometer. Comparisons before and after surgery were conducted, and statistical analyses were performed. Of the 24 patients, 11 had bilateral and 13 had unilateral entropion, with a mean age of 64.67±16.98 years. In entropionic eyes, BCVA improved from 0.17±0.22 to 0.11±0.13 (P=0.047), and LLT significantly increased from 66.74±26.94 nm to 81.37±21.42 nm (P<0.001). Meibomian gland dysfunction grade improved from 1.60±1.06 to 1.29±0.96 (P<0.001). No significant changes were observed in blinking rate, Schirmer score, or BUT. No statistically significant correlation was found among BCVA, LLT, and MGD grade. In conclusion, involutional entropion is associated with reduced tear film LLT and MGD. Surgical correction leads to significant improvements in LLT, MGD grade, and visual acuity. These findings highlight the role of entropion repair in restoring ocular surface health and suggest potential benefits in managing meibomian gland-related tear film dysfunction.