Ectropion

Ectropion is the condition where the eyelid droops away from the eye and turns outwards. It mainly affects the lower eyelid and can occur in one or both eyes. It is often caused by weakness of the supporting eyelid structures. A skin graft may be required if there is loss of skin causing the abnormal eyelid position.

Ectropion of the lower eyelid can disrupt the drainage of tears, which can make the eyes:

• sore, red and irritated
• water excessively
• feel very dry and gritty
• more vulnerable to bacterial infections, such as conjunctivitis

Ectropion surgery is performed in hospital as a day case, under local anaesthetic and intravenous sedation ("twilight" anaesthetic, not a general anaesthetic).

Case 1 and 3 both had skin grafts to the lower eyelids to rectify the deficit of skin and to fully correct the eyelid position.