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Merck Manual
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Professional /
Eye Disorders /
Eyelid and Lacrimal Disorders /
... /
Entropion and Ectropion /
IN THIS TOPIC

Entropion

Ectropion

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Eyelid and Lacrimal Disorders
Blepharitis
Blepharospasm
Canaliculitis
Chalazion and Hordeolum (Stye)
Dacryocystitis
Dacryostenosis
Entropion and Ectropion
Eyelid Growths
Trichiasis

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Blurred Vision
Blurred vision, accompanied by symptoms such as eye pain and red eye, is most likely caused by which of the following disorders?  

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Entropion and Ectropion

By

James Garrity

, MD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine

Last full review/revision Jul 2020| Content last modified Jul 2020
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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), posttraumatic changes, or blepharospasm. Eyelashes rub against the eyeball and may lead to corneal ulceration and scarring. Symptoms can include foreign body sensation, tearing, and red eye. Diagnosis is clinical. Definitive treatment is surgery.

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 (due to poor drainage of tears through the nasolacrimal system, which may no longer contact the eyeball) and symptoms of dry eyes. Diagnosis is clinical. Symptomatic treatment can include tear supplements and, at night, ocular lubricants; definitive treatment is surgery.

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