Correction of Severe Traditional Medication-induced Lower Lid Ectropion: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: The medical and surgical management of lower lid ectropion induced by the instillation of traditional eye medication in a middle-aged Nigerian woman is described . The patient was blind in both eyes as a result of severe panophthalmitis and phthisis bulbi; a floppy ectropion in the left eye required autograft correction. The medical and surgical management is described. Type of study: Case report. Setting: The correction of the lower lid tarsal ectropion was carried out at the Rachel Eye Center in Abuja, Nigeria. Result: After conservative intervention failed, a free pre-auricular skin graft of the floppy ectropion, led to a stable correction. Conclusions: Harmful traditional eye medication continues to be a problem in the Nigerian society. More public health education is needed to avoid complications such as the one described in this communication.

Keywords: public health education, harmful traditional eye medication, ectropion surgery