Lower ectropion

What is Ectropion?

Ectropion means that all, or part, of the lower eyelid is sagging away from the eye and the eyelashes are turning outwards. The commonest cause is age-related eyelid tissue laxity, the muscle and eyelid skin become slack over time. Less common causes are eyelid lumps and bumps weighing the eyelid down, facial paralysis (weakness) such as Bell’s palsy or tight lower lid skin pulling the eyelid away from the eye. 

Whatever the cause, the symptoms of ectropion can include:

  • Tearing
  • Mucous discharge
  • Crusting and occasionally infection

 

Management

Ocular lubricants (artificial tear gel or ointment), and occasionally antibiotics, can be useful in the short term but the treatment is usually an operation to tighten the lower eyelid and the results are generally very good. 

There are many different procedures for surgically correcting an ectropion depending on the extent of the problem and whether there are any secondary changes in the eyelid tissues. Most cases can be successfully treated under local anaesthetic.

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