{"id":12251,"date":"2019-09-05T08:20:08","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T08:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=12251"},"modified":"2021-04-29T17:54:25","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T17:54:25","slug":"14-common-causes-of-ectropion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-causes-of-ectropion\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Causes of Ectropion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ectropion is the medical term for when the lower eyelid starts to sag in an outward direction, away from the eyeball. As a result, the inner eyelid receives exposure to environmental elements. Patients who develop a case of ectropion experience symptoms of chronic dry eyes, as the eye loses the ability to lubricate the surface of the eyeball adequately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated an unmanaged, the affected individual may develop a case of chronic dry eye syndrome that leads to the onset of other eye problems. The patient may find that they start to experience frequent infection, with conjunctivitis bacteria being the most common pathogen responsible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients are also at risk of developing a blurred vision that may lead to the onset of a permanent reduction in their eyesight. In most cases, eye drops only provide the patient with limited relief. A surgical procedure can rectify the problem and return the eyelid to normal function. Here are eight symptoms of ectropion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Muscular Dysfunction and Weakness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The leading cause for the development of ectropion is a muscular dysfunction of the eyelids that occurs as a natural part of the aging process. While everyone ages, not everyone experiences the onset of ectropion. Most cases of the condition occur in people who are over the age of 50-years old. The body starts to experience a drop in protein <\/a>synthesis ion the forties, and this continues to decline for the rest of our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, a drop in protein synthesis affects many vital biological processes in the body. Collagen is a protein that\u2019s responsible for maintaining the muscular system, and it\u2019s the protein that gives your skin its vibrant and healthy look. People that develop a collagen deficiency are at risk of numerous issues occurring with their skin, ligaments, muscles, and hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lack of protein synthesis in the body causes problems with muscle dysfunction and weakness around the ligaments that control the eyelid. As a result, the patient starts to develop ectropion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Stroke<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ectropion may also occur due to other diseases or events that have a lasting impact on the muscular and nervous systems. A stroke <\/a>occurs when the patient experiences a lack of blood flow to the brain. When the brain experiences starvation of oxygenated blood, it results in a seizure in the affected individual.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who experience the onset of a stroke may experience symptoms similar to a heart attack. The patient may find that they begin to develop a pain that runs down either the right or left side of the body. When a stroke occurs on the right hemisphere of the brain, it affects the patient\u2019s ability to speak, swallow, and they may also encounter vision problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the stroke affects the muscles around the eyelids, it may cause an abnormal drooping of the eyelids, resulting in the onset of ectropion. Unfortunately, the effects of the stoke are permanent, and it may be challenging for the doctor to restore the patient\u2019s eyelid function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Skin Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Melanoma <\/a>is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Every day, doctors diagnose around 9,500 Americans with some form of skin cancer. Most cases of the disease are not cancerous, and the patient does not run the risk of the lesion turning cancerous if they receive treatment in time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors remove cancerous moles and lesions from the skin using a sharp scalpel. The physician then sends the sample to a laboratory for testing. The lab looks for any cancer cells in the tissue sample before notifying the doctor of the findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the patient does have a cancerous lesion, they will require surgery to remove the affected area of the skin. Some patients that develop skin cancer around the eyelids may end up producing the onset of ectropion as well. Each situation is different, and the affected individual needs to rely on the advice of their doctor for treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Scar Tissue <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who develop ectropion may already have some form of trauma to the eye that\u2019s responsible for causing the condition. If the patient experiences any injury to the eye, it may result in internal bleeding behind the eyeball. As a result, the patient may start to develop a clot that places pressure on the ligaments around the eyeball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the pressure from the internal bleeding<\/a>, the ligaments and muscles controlling the eye may become dysfunctional. As the patient notices the onset of ectropion, they may also feel pressure on the eye that starts to interfere with their eyesight. Trauma resulting in internal bleeding behind the eyeball may damage your sight permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you recently experienced any form of trauma, and you are starting to notice the onset of ectropion symptoms, then speak to your doctor for a diagnosis and advice on treatment. The doctor may advise corrective surgery to remove the blood clots and repair the damage to the ligaments around the eyelid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Growths on the Eyelid <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people may start to develop growths on the eyelids. Those individuals that spend hours in the sun every day require the use of sunblock to avoid the onset of a skin burn that may result in the formation of skin cancer. However, using a sunscreen every day can also cause problems with blockages in the pores <\/a>of the skin in the eyelids.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the affected individual\u2019s pores experience a blockage, the patient may start to notice growths appear on the edge of the eyelid. These growths are also known as a stye or a chalazion. Both of these skin conditions irritate with the eyelid, and they may present severe irritation in the affected individual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The growth may also interfere with the normal functioning of the eyelid. As a result, the patient may start to experience the onset of ectropion. The patient may notice fluttering of the eyelid before the condition begins, with the turning of the eyelid occurring a few days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Birth Defects <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some patients may develop the onset of ectropion due to genetic <\/a>factors. Individuals that are born with Down Syndrome may experience aberrations in the typical structure of the face. As a result, they may develop issues with their eyelids that result in the onset of ectropion. Patients with congenital disorders typically don\u2019t have any surgery option, and they may have to learn to live with the disorder for the rest of their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, the doctor can advise the parent about the correct treatment procedures for taking care of the child\u2019s eyesight as they grow. Some children may grow out of the disorder, while others experience it for the rest of their days. Unfortunately, a significant amount of people born with ectropion as a congenital disability, are at a high risk of losing their vision in the affected eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expectant parents should always visit a gynecologist for an ultrasound scan at 10 to 12-weeks into the pregnancy. The nurse can check for any signs of Down Syndrome in the developing fetus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Bell\u2019s Palsy <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bell\u2019s Palsy describes a medical condition that affects the muscles and nerves that control facial expressions. People may develop Bell\u2019s Palsy for a variety of reasons, including congenital disabilities that affect the child at birth. Doctors that use tools to remove infants from the womb may place pressure on the head of the child. As a result, the instruments may cut off blood supply to the nerves in the face, resulting in the development of Bell\u2019s Palsy in the child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other individuals may experience a mini-stroke that results in a cut-off of oxygen supply to the brain. If the patient experiences a seizure, it may result in permanent changes to the muscles and ligaments on the affected side of the face. Patients who are dealing with Bell\u2019s Palsy<\/a> may experience the onset of ectropion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bell\u2019s Palsy is an uncommon condition, but new parents should discuss birthing options with their medical team before delivery to avoid any complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Surgery or Radiation Treatment <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who undergo eye surgery or radiation therapy may also be at a higher risk of developing ectropion. Surgery <\/a>around the eye may result in damage to the nerves or ligaments that control the eyeball. In most cases of ectropion that occur due to eye surgery, the effects of the condition pass as the eyelid and ligaments heal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in some cases, the ectropion symptoms may become permanent, and the patient requires further surgery to rectify the eyelid back to normal levels of functionality. Patients who undergo radiation treatment are also at risk of developing the condition. Radiation therapy may weaken the muscles and ligaments in the eyes, causing the onset of ectropion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are going in for any form of eye surgery, speak to your doctor about the possibility of developing ectropion form the procedure. Your physician will outline the preventative measures they take during and after surgery to ensure ectropion does not occur post-op.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>