Ectropion

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Eye

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Ectropion

Definition:

Ectropion is the turning out of the eyelid (usually the lower eyelid) so that the inner surface is exposed.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Ectropion is usually caused by the aging process and the weakening of the connective tissue of the eyelid, which causes the lid to turn out. It can also be caused by contraction of scar tissue from burns or from facial palsy and may occur as a congenital defect (for example, in children with Down syndrome).

Ectropion interferes with normal distribution of tears on the surface of the eye and may result in dry, painful eyes, chronic conjunctivitis, and keratitis.

Review Date: 10/31/2004
Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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