Entropion: Causes, Risks, and How Medications Can Affect Eye Alignment

When the entropion, a condition where the eyelid folds inward, causing lashes to rub against the eye develops, it’s not just uncomfortable—it can damage your cornea over time. This isn’t just an aging issue. While it’s common in older adults due to loose eyelid muscles, entropion can also be triggered by eye infections, scarring from trauma, or even certain medications that affect muscle tone or nerve function. It’s often mistaken for simple dry eye, but the constant scratching of eyelashes against the eyeball leads to redness, pain, and sometimes vision loss if untreated.

People taking long-term medications like antipsychotics, drugs used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that can cause involuntary muscle movements may unknowingly increase their risk. Drugs such as risperidone or haloperidol can lead to orofacial dyskinesia, which sometimes includes abnormal eyelid positioning. Similarly, long-term steroid use, common in autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, can weaken eyelid tissues and contribute to structural changes. Even some glaucoma drops, if used for years, can alter the balance of eyelid muscles. If you’re on any chronic eye or neurological medication and notice your eyelid pulling inward, it’s not normal—and it’s not something to ignore.

Entropion doesn’t always need surgery. Mild cases can be managed with lubricating drops, tape to hold the lid in place, or Botox injections to relax overactive muscles. But if it’s caused by scarring from chemical burns or chronic inflammation, the fix is more complex. That’s why understanding what’s behind your symptoms matters. Many of the articles below explore how medications interact with eye health—from how metformin affects vitamin levels that influence nerve function, to how anticoagulants increase bleeding risk during eye surgery. You’ll also find real-world advice on spotting early signs of eyelid issues, what tests doctors use to confirm entropion, and when to push for a specialist referral. This isn’t just about eyelids. It’s about how the drugs you take daily might be quietly changing your body in ways you never expected.