Prevalence and associations with ectropion in an older population: the Blue Mountains Eye Study

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of eyelid ectropion and its associations with sunlight-related and other ocular variables, plus systemic factors, in an older Australian population. The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 persons aged 49-97 years. Examination recorded ectropion and other ocular signs. The questionnaire assessed sunlight-related and systemic variables. Ectropion was present in either eye of 143 subjects (3.9%) and was bilateral in 101 (70.6%). A marked age-related increase in prevalence was observed with ectropion found in 0.3% of persons aged < 60 years, 1.2% of ages 60-69 years, 6.7% of ages 70-79 years and 16.7% of those aged 80 years or older Ectropion prevalence was higher in men (5.1%) than women (3.0%), age-adjusted odds ratio 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.5-3.0). Statistically significant associations were found between ectropion and history of skin cancer removal, increased skin sun sensitivity, lighter iris colour and presence of pingueculum, as well as current smoking, hypertension, diabetes and stroke.