What is the most common cause of ectropion?

What is the most common cause of ectropion?

• A. Bell's palsy
• B. Horner's syndrome
• C. Involutional
• D. Traumatic cicatricial

Answer: (C)

Ectropion most commonly comes from age-related laxity of the eyelid tissues, especially weakening of the lower lid and its canthal support. As we get older, the lid tissues become looser and the lateral canthal tendon loses tone, allowing the lower lid to turn outward away from the globe. This involutional change is more frequent than other causes such as paralysis from facial nerve palsy, scarring from trauma or burns (cicatricial), or conditions like Horner’s syndrome. The outward turning leads to exposure and tearing, which is why it’s the typical presentation and the reason this is the best answer.

Ectropion most commonly comes from age-related laxity of the eyelid tissues, especially weakening of the lower lid and its canthal support. As we get older, the lid tissues become looser and the lateral canthal tendon loses tone, allowing the lower lid to turn outward away from the globe. This involutional change is more frequent than other causes such as paralysis from facial nerve palsy, scarring from trauma or burns (cicatricial), or conditions like Horner’s syndrome. The outward turning leads to exposure and tearing, which is why it’s the typical presentation and the reason this is the best answer.