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Entropion and Ectropion

By

Richard C. Allen

, MD, PhD, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Reviewed/Revised Feb 2024
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Topic Resources

Entropion is inversion of an eyelid. Ectropion is eversion of the lower eyelid.

Entropion

Entropion (inversion of an eyelid) is caused by age-related tissue relaxation, postinfectious changes (particularly trachoma Trachoma Trachoma is a chronic conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and is characterized by progressive exacerbations and remissions. It is the leading cause of preventable blindness... read more Trachoma ), autoimmune skin disease (eg, mucous membrane pemphigoid Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid is a chronic, bilateral, progressive scarring and shrinkage of the conjunctiva with opacification of the cornea. Early symptoms are hyperemia and irritation... read more Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid ), posttraumatic changes, or blepharospasm Blepharospasm Blepharospasm is spasm of muscles around the eye causing involuntary blinking and eye closing. The cause of blepharospasm is most often unknown. It affects women more than men and tends to occur... read more . Eyelashes rub against the globe and may lead to corneal ulceration and scarring. Symptoms can include foreign body sensation, tearing Tearing Excess tearing may cause a sensation of watery eyes or result in tears falling down the cheek (epiphora). Tears are produced in the lacrimal gland and drain through the upper and lower puncta... read more , and red eye Red Eye Red eye refers to a red appearance of the opened eye, reflecting dilation of the superficial ocular vessels. Dilation of superficial ocular vessels can result from Infection Allergy Inflammation... read more . Diagnosis is clinical. Definitive treatment is surgery or treatment of the underlying etiology (eg, infection or inflammation) (1 General reference Entropion is inversion of an eyelid. Ectropion is eversion of the lower eyelid. This photo shows entropion, inversion of the eyelid that most commonly affects the lower eyelids of older adults... read more General reference ).

Ectropion

Ectropion (eversion of the lower eyelid) is caused by age-related tissue relaxation, cranial nerve VII palsy, and posttraumatic or postsurgical changes. Symptoms are tearing Tearing Excess tearing may cause a sensation of watery eyes or result in tears falling down the cheek (epiphora). Tears are produced in the lacrimal gland and drain through the upper and lower puncta... read more (due to poor drainage of tears through the nasolacrimal system, which may no longer contact the globe) and symptoms of dry eyes Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is chronic, bilateral desiccation of the conjunctiva and cornea due to an inadequate tear film. Symptoms include itching, burning, irritation, and photophobia. Diagnosis... read more Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca . Diagnosis is clinical. Symptomatic treatment can include tear supplements and, at night, ocular lubricants; definitive treatment is surgery.

General reference

  • 1. Vallabhanath P, Carter SR: Ectropion and entropion. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 11(5):345-351, 2000. doi: 10.1097/00055735-200010000-00010.PMID: 11148701

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