Ectropion is caused by trauma, aging changes, infections, and tumors. When the eyelid is not apposed to the eyeball, the natural cleansing of the eye cannot occur. Blinking is ineffective. The eye can become exposed and irritated while sleeping. This means that one or more of the eyelids has rotated inward.
Similar problems causing ectropion can also lead to entropion.
There are very small and thin tissues in the eyelids, and depending on where the abnormality is located will determine whether the eyelid will rotate inward or outward. This condition can be very annoying and can quickly lead to corneal damage if not addressed. Dermatochalasis stands for excess skin and tissue on the eyelids. Most commonly, dermatochalasis is due to age and the effect of gravity. Although dermatochalasis is typically considered cosmetic surgery, some patients have a substantial amount of excess skin and prolapsed fat that blocks their vision.