Central lower eyelid thinning with trichiasis: characterization and management of a unique subset of entropion in elderly patients.

Purpose: To characterize the clinical and pathologic features of central lower eyelid thinning with trichiasis and discuss the management of this unique subset of entropion in elderly patients.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients with central lower eyelid thinning with trichiasis who presented between July 1996 and March 2006. Evaluation of management, including surgical intervention, using a modified Quickert "4-snip" block excision combined with lower eyelid retractor plication.

Results: Forty-one lower eyelids in 25 patients (22 men, 3 women; age range, 65-92 years; mean age, 79.6 +/- 6.6 years). All lower eyelids had medialization of the lateral eyelashes progressing posteriorly to frank trichiasis in the thinnest central zone. Seventeen patients (68%) had blepharitis. Twenty lower eyelids (48.8%) were refractory to initial treatment or presented with more severe disease and required incisional surgery; 16 of these were considered to have a successful postoperative outcome. Pathology reports from the specimens obtained frequently revealed the absence of meibomian glands, subconjunctival fibrosis, and tarsal scarring.

Conclusions: Central lower eyelid thinning with trichiasis is a distinct subset of entropion in elderly patients. Its management differs from the usual treatment for entropion in this age group. Surgeons should be aware of this unique condition to optimize diagnosis and treatment.