Patients who are dealing with the onset of ectropion experience dysfunction in the lower eyelid. The condition causes the lower eyelid to turn away from the eyeball and start to sag. As a result, the patient begins to experience problems with the lubrication of the eyeball. This situation leads to the onset of a variety of symptoms with the affected individual’s eyesight.
There are numerous causes of ectropion, with the most common reason being dysfunction of the muscles and ligaments around the eye. Some individuals may experience strokes or other conditions like Bell’s palsy, which may bring about ectropion in the affected individual. In most cases, the use of lubricating eye drops does not provide the patient with much relief from the symptoms of dry eyes.
In most cases, the patient requires corrective surgery to restore the normal function of the eyelids. Most operations to the affected eyelid are successful, restoring normal movement. Here are eight causes of ectropion.
1. Excessive Tearing
The tear ducts are the eye’s natural lubricating system. The ducts keep the eyeball and eye socket filled with fluid to enhance the smooth movement of the eyeball. Patients who are dealing with the onset of ectropion find that they start to develop issues with the tear duct. As the eyelid moves away from the surface of the eyeball, it increases the production of tears.
As a result of the drying of the surface of the eyeball, the tear ducts start to increase their output of lubricating fluid over the eyeball. However, since the eyelid motion is dysfunctional, the patient may begin to experience excessive tearing that leaves them with the need to wipe away the excess tears with a handkerchief.
This symptom typically occurs in the early stages of the condition. Eventually, the tear ducts cut back on the volume of lubricating fluid, and the patient starts to experience the onset of dry eye syndrome and irritation to the eyeball.