Contents:
- Medical Video: What is Ectropion?
- Ectropion, when the eyelid skin folds out
- What are the causes of ectropion?
- What are the symptoms of ectropion?
- What are the complications of ectropion?
- How to treat ectropion?
Medical Video: What is Ectropion?
Problems or abnormalities in the eyelids can make the eyes dry. In some other people, eyelid abnormalities cause the eyes to always runny. This is because the petals act as protective eyeballs from exposure to foreign objects. One of the most common types of petal deformities is ectoprion, when the petal skin is folded out so that the eye cavity looks like a gaping. To be clearer, let's see the discussion below.
Ectropion, when the eyelid skin folds out
The eyelids are very important for maintaining eye health. The petals act as a curtain that covers the cornea from exposure to foreign objects that might enter the eye.
Corneas susceptible to exposure can develop epithelial defects, scar tissue, and even infections whose symptoms include eye irritation, pain and loss of vision. The petals also help the tear ducts evenly distribute the tears above the surface to keep the eyes moist and rinse out foreign objects that are already in the eye.
When the petal skin relaxes so that it folds out, this condition is called ectoprion. Ectoprions make the inside of your lids and lower eyes open, causing the eyes to be prone to irritation. Ectoprion is most common in the lower lids (see the following picture).
What are the causes of ectropion?
The main cause of ectropion is the weakness of the muscles, tendons, or tissue around the eyelids due to the normal aging process as we get older. When children are still young, the muscles and tendons under your eyes are still tight and strong. However, gradually the strength of the muscles and tendons will weaken and stretch so that the eyelids can relax.
Besides the aging factor, there are several triggers that can increase the risk of this eyelid abnormality, such as:
- Have experienced trauma or injury to the eyelid, such as a former surgery, injury, stroke, or scarring due to burns.
- Benign tumor growth or cancer of the eyelid can cause the eyelids to sag and fold out.
- Genetic disorders at birth, such as Down syndrome.
- Facial palsy due to Bell's palsy which can paralyze nerves controlling facial muscles, including the eyelids.
What are the symptoms of ectropion?
If you have a petal deformity such as ectropion, tears cannot flow well in the small inner hole of the eyelid called puncta.
This condition will cause various symptoms, such as:
- The eyes are constantly runny, or even dry eyes are excessive.
- The eye becomes reddish because of inflammation of chronic conjunctivitis.
- The eye feels hot, like burning.
At first the extract only makes the eyelids droop, then folds out after a long time. But in severe cases, ectropion can make all parts of the eyelids change. Ectropion often occurs in older adults.
What are the complications of ectropion?
Ectropion makes the cornea become more irritated and prone to dryness.
If you have ectropion and feel some of the symptoms, get medical attention immediately. Without treatment, this condition can cause serious problems in the cornea. Some symptoms that must be addressed by a doctor immediately include:
- The eye becomes very sensitive to light suddenly.
- The eyes are very painful.
- The ability to see decreases.
- More often experience red eyes.
If it occurs prolonged, ectropion can cause conjunctitis, an eye infection accompanied by pus around the eyes or eyelashes.
Other complications of untreated ectropion include:
- Corneal abrasion (scratches on the cornea or eye surface)
- Corneal ulcer (wound to the cornea or eye surface)
- Impaired vision or permanent blindness
How to treat ectropion?
For mild ectropion, the doctor will give eye drops and ointments to relieve symptoms. You might be given skin tape, a special adhesive made for the skin, it can be used to lift and hold the eyelids so they don't fold out.
Surgery will usually be done to repair the eyelids. However, the type of surgery is adjusted to the cause of the occurrence of ectropion and the condition of the tissue around the eyelids, as reported by Health Line:
- Ectropion due to aging, doctors will recommend removing the eyelids, a small portion coming out of the edges. Then, the muscles and tendons will be tightened and the petals back sewn.
- Ectropion due to scarring will be carried out skin grafts taken from the upper or back of the ear petals. This procedure can also be performed on ectropion due to paralysis. However, an advanced procedure is needed to really improve the shape of the petals. Before surgery, you will receive a local anesthetic so that the surgical process is more comfortable.
After surgery you are required to wear an eye patch, use an antibiotic or steroid ointment in the eye several times for one week. Also, bruising and swelling can be compressed with a towel dipped in cold water. In the beginning, the petals may feel very tight after surgery. But, the condition will improve after bruising and swelling fade.
