Ectropion is a medical condition where the lower eyelid turns outward and exposes the section of the eye that it usually protects. This condition can lead to a variety of troublesome issues if left untreated. But what causes ectropion? There are several potential causes for this condition, and determining the sources of yours may require the eye of a trained eyelid specialist. If you are struggling with ectropion, take a look at this guide, which discusses this condition and some of your options for ectropion repair.
What Is Ectropion?
Ectropion is a medical term that refers to a condition where the eyelids turn outward erroneously. This condition can cause the eyes to become irritated and cause malfunctioning in the tear ducts. This, in turn, can cause chronic dryness and inflammation in the eyes. The obverse of ectropion is entropion, which is a condition that causes the eyelids to pull inward.
What Causes Ectropion?
There are several different types and plausible causes of ectropion. Honing in on the specific type that you might be dealing with can help you in your attempts to rectify the issue:
- Paralytic: This type of ectropion is produced by injuries to the nerves that control the eyelid.
- Cicatricial: Cicatricial ectropion occurs due to damage to the skin surrounding the eyelids. This can occur due to accidental injury, surgery, or sun damage.
- Involutional: This is the most common type of ectropion. This type of ectropion occurs because muscles and ligaments become loose as one ages.
- Mechanical: This type of ectropion occurs when a tumor or other mass weighs down and displaces the lower eyelid.
Your healthcare professional will be able to diagnose what type of ectropion is at play by observing your symptoms. After that, an actionable plan can be made to resolve the issue.
Symptoms of Ectropion
There are a number of shared symptoms between the different types of ectropion. Some of the symptoms that may indicate that you are dealing with ectropion include:
- Dryness in the eyes
- Red eyes
- Excessive tearing
- Discharge from the eyes
- Crusting of the eyelashes
Several risk factors at play can make one more vulnerable to developing ectropion. Learning these risk facts can help you determine sooner rather than later if you are developing ectropion:
- Excessive sun exposure
- Aging
- Excessive rubbing of the eyelids
- Wearing contact lenses
- Pre-existing skin conditions
- Past eyelid surgery
- Nerve palsy
- Using certain types of eye drops
Preventing Ectropion
Ultimately, there is no guaranteed method for preventing ectropion. However, there are steps you can take in your daily life to reduce the chance that you will experience this condition. Some of the following steps have the potential to assist in this matter:
- Taking care not to excessively rub or touch your eyes and eyelids
- Avoiding sleeping on your stomach
- Using your CPAP machine if you have sleep apnea
- Protecting sun eyes and skin from harsh sunlight
- Cleaning your contact lenses properly
Ultimately, preventing ectropion and other conditions of the eyes is about maintaining proper wellness hygiene in the eyes. By treating your eyes well and avoiding stressors that might impact your ocular health, you can ensure that you reduce your risk of ectropion and your need to receive treatment.
How Do You Treat Ectropion?
The most common course of treatment for early ectropion is to prescribe tear drops or some other kind of moisturizing agent to prevent discomfort and dryness in the eyes. After this, the most common courses of treatment include the following:
- Moderating the use of eye drops over time to balance moisture in the eyes
- Addressing conditions that may have led to the development of ectropion in the first place
- Utilizing skin grafts or surgery to complete treatment
If your healthcare professional determines that surgery is warranted to address your ectropion, you will have the opportunity to discuss what that will look like for you. Part of this process will involve a medical examination to determine your overall level of wellness and fitness. This step is necessary to confirm that you are healthy enough to receive surgery. Should you be confirmed for the procedure, your physician will be able to offer you advice regarding the next steps.
The Eyelid Surgeon in Ohio
Revive Eye and Face is a highly regarded eyelid surgeon in Ohio. If you have questions about your treatment options for ectropion or any other type of condition of the eyes, do not hesitate to reach out to schedule an appointment.
