Entropion-Ectropion: The Influence of Axial Globe Projection on Lower Eyelid Malposition

Abstract

In Brief Purpose: To evaluate the effect of axial globe projection on lower eyelid malposition with aging. Methods: Consecutive patients presenting to 2 oculoplastic surgeons with lower eyelid and tarsal involutional ectropion or entropion underwent axial globe projection measurements with a Hertel exophthalmometer. Results: Data on 36 eyelids of 31 white patients were collected. Axial globe projection in the ectropion group, μ = 19.9, was significantly greater than in the entropion group, μ = 16.1 (p = 0.000021). This held true even when the analysis was confined to the subgroup of male patients. Conclusion: Tarsal ectropion directly correlates with more prominent axial globe position, and patients with relatively enophthalmic eyes tend to develop entropion. Patients with relatively prominent globe position are more likely to develop tarsal ectropion, whereas patients with relatively enophthalmic eyes are more likely to develop entropion.