title: Conservative Management of Lower Eyelid Epiblepharon in Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although much literature has focused on various techniques to repair epiblepharon, no study has addressed how frequently surgical intervention is required.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors tabulated data from all patients with epiblepharon seen over the past 15 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-nine patients were included, 61 (69%) with tearing, discharge, conjunctival injection, or eye rubbing. Trichiasis was present in 15 cases (17%), 6 (7%) with corneal staining. In all cases, the initial treatment was conservative: antibiotic ointment or tear substitutes in 73 cases with trichiasis, symptoms of irritation, or corneal changes and observation in the remaining 16 cases. Three children (3%) were referred for eyelid surgery because of persistent symptoms. No patient had corneal scarring or long-term complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although vision-threatening complications can result, a trial of topical antibiotic ointment and/or ocular lubricants was effective in nearly all patients. Most resolved with minimal symptoms. The few eventually requiring eyelid surgery suffered no long-term complications. The authors recommend a trial of conservative treatment before eyelid surgery is undertaken. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2017;54(1):15-16.].
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Kathryn H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Jitka L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zobal-Ratner
authors.forename: Gerard P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Barry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000072700:Conservative Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000628:therapy; D005143:Eyelids / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009824:Ointments; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions