BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuEctropionEctropion is the turning out of the eyelid so that the inner surface is exposed. It most often affects the lower eyelid. Causes Ectropion is very often caused by the aging process. The connective (supporting) tissue of the eyelid becomes weak. This causes the lid to turn out so that the inside of the lower lid is no longer against the eyeball. It can also be caused by:A defect that occurs before birth (for example, in children with Down syndrome) Down syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Facial muscle weakness Facial muscle weaknessBell palsy is a disorder of the nerve that controls movement of the muscles in the face. This nerve is called the facial or seventh cranial nerve. D...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Scar tissue from burns or injuries Symptoms Symptoms include:Dry, painful eyes Excess tearing of the eye (epiphora) EpiphoraWatery eyes means you have too many tears in and draining from the eyes. Tears help keep the surface of the eye moist. They wash away particles and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eyelid turns outward (downward) Long-term (chronic) conjunctivitis ConjunctivitisThe conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye. Conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva becomes ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Keratitis KeratitisInterstitial keratitis is inflammation of the tissue of the cornea, the clear window on the front of the eye. This condition can lead to vision loss...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Redness of the lid and white part of the eye If you have ectropion, you will most likely have excess tearing. This happens because the eye gets dry, then makes more tears. The excess tears can't get into the tear drainage duct. Therefore, they build up inside the lower lid and then spill over the edge of the lid onto the cheek. Exams and Tests The health care provider will make a diagnosis by doing an exam of the eyes and eyelids. Special tests are not needed most of the time. Treatment Artificial tears (a lubricant) may ease dryness and keep the cornea moist. Ointment may be helpful when the eye can't close all of the way, such as when you are asleep. Surgery is very often effective. When ectropion is related to aging or paralysis, the surgeon can tighten the muscles that hold the eyelids in place. If the condition is due to scarring of the skin, a skin graft or laser treatment may be used. The surgery is most often done in the office or at an outpatient surgery center. A medicine is used to numb the area (local anesthesia) before the surgery. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome is very often good with treatment. Possible Complications Corneal dryness and irritation may lead to:Corneal abrasions Corneal abrasionsCorneal injury is a wound to the part of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue that covers the front of ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Corneal ulcers Corneal ulcersThe cornea is the clear tissue at the front of the eye. A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the outer layer of the cornea. It is often caused by inf...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eye infectionsCorneal ulcers can cause vision loss. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of ectropion.If you have ectropion, get emergency medical help if you have: Vision that is getting worse Pain Sensitivity to light Sensitivity to lightPhotophobia is eye discomfort in bright light.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eye redness that is getting worse quickly Prevention Most cases cannot be prevented. You may want to use artificial tears or ointments to prevent injury to the cornea, especially if you are waiting for a more permanent treatment.Open ReferencesReferencesCioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 395.Maamari RN, Couch SM. Ectropion. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 12.6.Nicoli F, Orfaniotis G, Ciudad P, et al. Correction of cicatricial ectropion using non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing. Lasers Med Sci. 2019;34(1):79-84. PMID: 30056585 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30056585/.Olitsky SE, Marsh JM. Abnormalities of the lids. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 642.Stein HA, Stein RM, Freeman MI, Stein RL. Common eye disorders. In: Stein HA, Stein RM, Freeman MI, Stein RL, eds. The Ophthalmic Assistant. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 23.AllVideoImagesTogEye - illustration The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or white of the eye, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.EyeillustrationEye - illustration The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or white of the eye, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.EyeillustrationRelated Information Bell palsy(Condition)Conjunctivitis or pink eye(Condition)Corneal injury(Condition)Corneal ulcers and infections(Condition) Review Date: 8/22/2022 Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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EctropionEctropion is the turning out of the eyelid so that the inner surface is exposed. It most often affects the lower eyelid. Causes Ectropion is very often caused by the aging process. The connective (supporting) tissue of the eyelid becomes weak. This causes the lid to turn out so that the inside of the lower lid is no longer against the eyeball. It can also be caused by:A defect that occurs before birth (for example, in children with Down syndrome) Down syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Facial muscle weakness Facial muscle weaknessBell palsy is a disorder of the nerve that controls movement of the muscles in the face. This nerve is called the facial or seventh cranial nerve. D...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Scar tissue from burns or injuries Symptoms Symptoms include:Dry, painful eyes Excess tearing of the eye (epiphora) EpiphoraWatery eyes means you have too many tears in and draining from the eyes. Tears help keep the surface of the eye moist. They wash away particles and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eyelid turns outward (downward) Long-term (chronic) conjunctivitis ConjunctivitisThe conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye. Conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva becomes ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Keratitis KeratitisInterstitial keratitis is inflammation of the tissue of the cornea, the clear window on the front of the eye. This condition can lead to vision loss...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Redness of the lid and white part of the eye If you have ectropion, you will most likely have excess tearing. This happens because the eye gets dry, then makes more tears. The excess tears can't get into the tear drainage duct. Therefore, they build up inside the lower lid and then spill over the edge of the lid onto the cheek. Exams and Tests The health care provider will make a diagnosis by doing an exam of the eyes and eyelids. Special tests are not needed most of the time. Treatment Artificial tears (a lubricant) may ease dryness and keep the cornea moist. Ointment may be helpful when the eye can't close all of the way, such as when you are asleep. Surgery is very often effective. When ectropion is related to aging or paralysis, the surgeon can tighten the muscles that hold the eyelids in place. If the condition is due to scarring of the skin, a skin graft or laser treatment may be used. The surgery is most often done in the office or at an outpatient surgery center. A medicine is used to numb the area (local anesthesia) before the surgery. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome is very often good with treatment. Possible Complications Corneal dryness and irritation may lead to:Corneal abrasions Corneal abrasionsCorneal injury is a wound to the part of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue that covers the front of ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Corneal ulcers Corneal ulcersThe cornea is the clear tissue at the front of the eye. A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the outer layer of the cornea. It is often caused by inf...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eye infectionsCorneal ulcers can cause vision loss. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of ectropion.If you have ectropion, get emergency medical help if you have: Vision that is getting worse Pain Sensitivity to light Sensitivity to lightPhotophobia is eye discomfort in bright light.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eye redness that is getting worse quickly Prevention Most cases cannot be prevented. You may want to use artificial tears or ointments to prevent injury to the cornea, especially if you are waiting for a more permanent treatment.Open ReferencesReferencesCioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 395.Maamari RN, Couch SM. Ectropion. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 12.6.Nicoli F, Orfaniotis G, Ciudad P, et al. Correction of cicatricial ectropion using non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing. Lasers Med Sci. 2019;34(1):79-84. PMID: 30056585 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30056585/.Olitsky SE, Marsh JM. Abnormalities of the lids. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 642.Stein HA, Stein RM, Freeman MI, Stein RL. Common eye disorders. In: Stein HA, Stein RM, Freeman MI, Stein RL, eds. The Ophthalmic Assistant. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 23.