Ectropion / Entropion

Both are eyelid malposition disorders, usually occurring in the elderly (involutional), but can also be cicatricial, mechanical/spastic, or congenital.

• Entropion — the eyelid turns inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the globe. Main consequence: corneal damage from friction.
• Ectropion — the eyelid turns outward so its edge no longer touches the globe. Main consequence: dry eyes, since tears can’t disperse normally (see dry-eye.md).

Both are recognised causes of epiphora (watery eye) via reduced tear outflow — see dacrocystitis-dacrocystocoele-dacrostenosis.md for the fuller epiphora differential and assessment framework.

Management

• Artificial tears (symptomatic relief)
• Refer for surgical correction if problematic — surgical repair is definitive treatment for either condition