Ectropion (drooping Eyelids)

Patient Education

What is Ectropion?

Ectropion is a condition in which your eyelid, the lower lid turns out. This leaves the inner eyelid surface exposed and prone to irritation. Ectropion is more common in older adults.

What are Symptoms?

• Irritation. Stagnant tears or dryness can irritate your eyes, causing a burning sensation and redness in your eyelids and the whites of your eyes. The stagnant tears and dryness can also irritate the surface of the cornea, making you sensitive to light.
• Excessive tearing. Without proper drainage, your tears may pool and constantly flow over your eyelids. Many people with ectropion complain of watery or weepy eyes.

• Excessive dryness. Ectropion can cause your eyes to feel dry, gritty and sandy.

What are Causes for Ectropion?

Ectropion can have several different causes, including:

• Muscle weakness. As you age, the muscles under your eyes tend to get weaker as the tendons stretch out. These muscles and tendons are responsible for holding your eyelid taut against your eye, so when they relax, the eyelid can begin to droop and turn outward.
• Facial paralysis. When some of the facial nerves and muscles are paralyzed, as with Bell's palsy and some types of tumors, it can affect the eyelid muscles and cause ectropion.
• Scars or skin problems. Scarred skin from facial burns or trauma, such as a dog bite or lacerations, can affect the way that the eyelid rests against the eye.
• Eyelid growths. Benign or cancerous growths on your eyelid can cause the lid to turn outward.
• Previous surgery, radiation, or cosmetic procedures. Previous eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can cause ectropion to develop later, particularly if too much skin from the eyelid was removed at the time of surgery.
• Congenital ectropion. Rarely, ectropion is present at birth (congenital), when it is usually associated with genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome.

  Drug reaction. Certain medications, such as some drops used to treat glaucoma, may contribute to ectropion.

What is treatment for Ectropion?

Eyedrops and ointments can be used to manage symptoms and protect your cornea until a permanent treatment is done. Most cases of ectropion require surgery.