Correction of cicatricial ectropion using non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing

Lower eyelid malposition is the most frequent and severe complication after blepharoplasty and ectropion is observed in 1% of patients after surgery. This article describes a non-surgical method to treat lower eyelid cicatricial ectropion using a non-ablative laser as an alternative to surgery. Twelve patients with unilateral or bilateral lower lid cicatricial ectropion, following surgery or trauma, underwent laser therapy from 2012 to 2016. Laser therapy was performed with a fractional non-ablative laser emitting at a wavelength of 1540 nm. Ten patients had a full correction of their ectropion and two patients had a partial recovery after laser therapy at 6-month follow-up visit. No serious adverse events were reported. Non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing can successfully treat cicatricial ectropion by remodeling the periocular scar tissue and improving the scar texture, and as such may be considered as a valuable alternative to surgery in selected patients.