Ectropion is when the lower eyelid turns outward and droops away from the eye, usually with old age due to loss of strength in the musculature of the eyes. It is usually not a serious condition, but can be quite uncomfortable.
Ectropion is a condition which majorly impacts the lower eyelid to droop and turn towards outward. It may affect only one but also both eyes. In severe cases, the whole eyelid surface is turned out while in less severe case, just one eyelid segment droops away from the affected eye. If a severe case is not treated, a corneal ulcer may develop and can affect the affected person's vision, however this is rare. An ectropion occurs more often with older adults when the lid muscles are no longer strong enough or as a result of a stroke in which the facial nerves have been affected.
Ageing is in most cases the cause of ectropion. It usually occurs as the muscles and tissue of the eyelids become weaker with age. Other causes are less common and they include tumor, cyst or lump on the eyelid, an issue with the nerves that control the eyelid, damage to the skin around the eyelid as a result of a previous surgery, contact dermatitis, burn, or an injury. In rare cases, if the muscles beneath the eyelid do not develop correctly, ectropion can be present from birth. Symptoms of ectropion include chronic conjunctivitis or pink eye, redness, burning, irritation, excessive dryness, and excessive tearing. Delay in treating can result in additional symptoms such as decreased vision, quick increase in redness of eyes, eye pain, and sudden sensitivity to light.
Treatment of ectropion will be customized based on the underlying cause and its severity. Mild cases of ectropion may not need any treatment. If the symptoms are minor, a doctor or ophthalmologist can advise the affected person about ways to take care of the eyes and relieve the symptoms at home. Lubricating drops can protect the cornea from further damage and provide relief while awaiting treatment. Inappropriate wiping of the affected eye can make the condition to become worse. It is recommended to always use an ‘up and in’ movement to wipe the eyes from the outer up to the nose. In more severe cases, a surgery may be recommended to correct the issue.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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