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Ectropion is a common, acquired eyelid disorder where the lower eyelid turns outward and away from the eye. This condition leaves the inner surface of the eyelid and the conjunctiva exposed, causing chronic irritation.
read more about ectropion ...The primary cause is age-related muscle and tendon relaxation. The canthal tendons, which anchor the eyelid to the eye socket, loosen and stretch over time, allowing gravity to pull the lower lid downward and outward. Other causes include facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy) or skin scarring from previous injury. This laxity prevents the lower lid from maintaining proper contact with the eyeball.
Symptoms are associated with chronic exposure. Patients experience excessive tearing (epiphora) because the tear drainage hole (punctum) is turned away from the eye. They also have chronic dry eye, redness, and irritation because the exposed tissue dries out.
Ectropion impacts eye health by disrupting the tear film and exposing the ocular surface. The lack of proper lid contact causes tears to evaporate rapidly. This exposure can lead to corneal dryness, inflammation, and potential infection.
Diagnosis is clinical and based on visual inspection. The eye doctor performs tests to check the lid laxity (how far the lid can be pulled away from the eyeball). The tear drainage system is also assessed.
The necessary treatment is typically surgical. The surgeon tightens the stretched canthal tendon and re-secures the lower eyelid to restore its natural position against the eyeball. This realignment restores the tear drainage system and protects the cornea.
Yes, ectropion is successfully curable with eyelid surgery.
No, ectropion is the outward turning of the lid. Entropion is the inward turning of the lid, causing lashes to rub the cornea.
Eye drops and ointments can manage the symptoms of dry eye, but they do not fix the physical, structural problem; surgery is required.
See an oculoplastic surgeon if your lower eyelid pulls away from the eye, causing constant tearing and redness. Chronic ectropion leaves the "Palpebral Conjunctiva" exposed to the air, which can lead to "Keratinization" and permanent damage to the ocular surface.
AAO. What is Ectropion? (aao.org). 2024.
Mayo Clinic. Ectropion Symptoms (mayoclinic.org). 2024.
Cleveland Clinic. Ectropion and Entropion (clevelandclinic.org). 2024.
StatPearls. Ectropion (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). 2024.