SHARES
The title of this article sounds pretty vague for most of us. But it does make sense to those who have had this, are going through this condition. So what is this all about? What is an ectropion? Let’s find out. Dr Marco Faria, plastic surgeon at Dr Marco Faria Plastic Surgery, details his recommended practice for this condition.
What is an Ectropion?
Ectropion refers to when the eyelid turns outwards and commonly affects the lower eyelid.
What causes an Ectropion?
The most common reason is due to ageing where our eyes muscles have lost its laxity and also the deep attachments from the cheekbones loosen and cause an increase in the downward pull effect on the lower eyelids. Blocked tear ducts that cause prolonged watery eyes, can also cause the eyes to have a downward tension. It can also be due to previous eyelid surgery.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of an Ectropion?
– Outward turning of the eyelid
– Watering of the eye with sensitivity to wind and light
– Irritation of the eye
How is Ectropion treated?
The best option for treating ectropion is by surgery. Surgery tightens up the lower eyelid horizontally and reduces any downward pull on the eyelid. This will result in restoring the lower eyelid to its normal position so that it fits snugly against the eyeball.
If the ectropion is caused by scarring then the operation may involve more extensive surgery operations can be done quite comfortably and quickly using a local anaesthetic injection as a day case procedure.
Do All Ectropions Need Treatment?
This depends on individual cases.
This article is contributed by Dr Marco Faria. To learn more about this condition (Ectropion), you can book a consultation with Dr Marco using GetDoc.
by Hridya
A biochemist by education who could never put what she studied to good use, finally found GetDoc as a medium to do what she loved - bring information to people using a forum that is dedicated to all things medical. View all articles by Hridya.
