Ectropion - Causes of ectropion

Most cases of ectropion are associated with ageing. It's usually caused when the ligament (band of tissue) that connects the eyelid to the eye socket becomes weakened with age.

As you get older, the ligament that connects your eyelid to your skull, and the muscles that sit under and around your eyelid, can weaken. This can cause your eyelid to droop.

Other, less common causes of ectropion include:

• damage to the nerves that control the eyelid (this is often seen in the neurological condition, Bell’s palsy)
• a lump or cyst that develops in the lower eyelid 
• damage to the eyelid caused by trauma or burns, or as a complication of a skin condition, such as contact dermatitis, or from previous surgery 

Ectropion from birth

In rare cases, ectropion is present at birth due to the muscles under the eyelid not developing properly. This may be associated with an underlying developmental disorder, such as Down syndrome.