Causes of Ectropion

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The most common cause of ectropion is weak and lax eyelid muscles allowing the lower lid to fall away from the eye and even to turn outwards. This is called senile ectropion.

Sometimes ectropion is caused by actual paralysis of the flat muscle surrounding the eye (the orbicularis oculus muscle). This is a feature of Bell's Palsy. It may also be caused by scarring of the skin, near the lid margin, with shortening (contracture), which pulls the lid edge away from the eye. This is called cicatricial ectropion and may follow wounds or burns. This type of ectropion often affects the upper lid.