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.