Ectropion is the turning-out
of the lower-eyelid, away from the eyeball.
If the lower-eyelid begins to hang away from the eyeball, a small but
open/"shelving" "pocket" may develop, into which tears
may collect then later over-flow, causing the effect of the eye seeming
to "water" excessively. At the same time, the eyelid hanging
away from the eyeball may caused the exposed part of the eyeball to become
dry and therefore irritated and sore.
If left untreated, ectropion may in some cases lead to
conjunctival keratinization, that is the cells of the conjunctiva
becoming horny due to deposition of the protein keratin within them.
There are several forms of ectropion (classified according
to cause).
These include:
- Involutional ectropion - the most common form of
ectropion, this is due to the increasing laxity of
tissues associated with the normal ageing process. In this case both
eyes are usually affected equally, or to similar extent.
- Cicatricial ectropion - related to scarring (recall
that cicatrix
is the medical term for a scar), e.g. as a result of burns. In this
case, either one or both eyes may be affected.
- Mechanical ectropion - may be due to excess weight
of the eye-lid itself, such as e.g. due to tumour.
- Paralytic ectropion - associated with facial nerve
palsy, this classification applies to ectropion resulting
from damage to the facial nerve that supplies and controls the affected
lower-eyelid. May involve incomplete closure of the affected eye-lid.
- Congenital ectropion - that is, ectropion
present since birth. May occur as part of blepharophimosis syndrome.
Treatments may involve ointments to relieve irritation by lubricating
the eye. In more severe and/or long-term cases, surgery to tighten the
eyelid may be recommended.
More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and definitions
of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.
For further information see also our section of Books
about Ophthalmology. |
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This Section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and
human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
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