Ectropion
Patients with ectropion have a sagging lower eyelids that
leaves the eye exposed and dry. It is caused by a lack of tone of the
delicate muscles that hold the lid taut against the eye. Excessive
tearing is a common with ectropion, but wiping the tears away only
causes the lid to sag more. Ectropion is most common among people over
the age of 60.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
•Irritation
•Burning
•Gritty, sandy feeling
•Excessive tearing
•Red,
irritated eyelid
DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS
Ectropion can be
diagnosed with a routine eye exam.
TREATMENT
The irritation
can be temporarily relieved with artificial tears and ointments to
lubricate the eye; however, surgery to tighten the lid is usually
necessary to correct this problem.
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