A case of recurrent upper eyelid eversion in a child is described. A 9 year old boy presented with a completely everted left upper eyelid, with grossly swollen, palpebral conjunctiva. He had learning difficulties and his parents described how he would often rub his upper eyelids vigorously, something which they had tried to prevent him from doing. He had suffered a similar episode of left upper eyelid eversion two years earlier.

Due to the severity of the conjunctival swelling the child was admitted for observation and treated with regular Maxitrol ointment. An attempt was made to try to tape down the left upper eyelid but the child would not comply with this treatment. The following day there was no visible improvement in the conjunctival swelling and the lid was still completely everted. After 24 hours, the treatment was changed to topical adrenaline 1 in 1,000. The adrenaline was dripped onto a small gauze swab and this was applied to the conjunctiva for 1-2 minutes.

Within 2 hours there was a dramatic improvement in the degree of conjunctival swelling, and by four hours the left upper lid had started to invert. The following morning, the upper lid was in normal position, and these was only a small degree of residual conjunctival injection.

A case of childhood upper eyelid eversion is reported, which was unresponsive to the standard treatment of regular lubricating ointment. The use of topical adrenaline is described, which resulted in a dramtic improvement in the condition.