The role of enophthalmos in the development of involutional ectropion.

PURPOSE: This prospective study was performed to evaluate whether there is an association between enophthalmos and involutional ectropion. METHODS: Hertel exophthalmometric measurements were obtained from 31 patients with involutional ectropion and from 30 control patients who were age- and sex-matched. RESULTS: Eighteen patients had bilateral ectropion and 13 patients had unilateral ectropion. The mean of the exophthalmometric measurements of the eyes with ectropion was 12.67 +/- 2.48 (SD) mm. The mean of the exophthalmometric measurements of the control patients was 12.80 +/- 2.87 (SD) mm in the right eye and 12.83 +/- 2.93 (SD) mm in the left eye. The difference between the eyes of the patients and the controls was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In the affected eyes of the patients with unilateral ectropion, the mean exophthalmometric value was 13.15 +/- 2.51 (SD) mm, and in the unaffected eyes of the patients, the mean exophthalmometric value was 13.07 +/- 2.56 (SD) mm. This difference was not statistically significant either (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with involutional ectropion do not have more enophthalmos than the age- and sex-matched normal population. This study does not suggest an association between enophthalmos and involutional ectropion.