A case of congenital ectropion in Down's syndrome

A rare case of primary congenital ectropion of all 4 eyelids in a child with Down's syndrome is reported to emphasise the problems of surgical management and to distinguish the condition from congenital eversion of the eyelids. Congenital ectropion is associated with other eyelid abnormalities and usually requires surgical measures to protect the cornea in contrast to congenital eversion which is characterised by the protrusion of oedematous conjunctiva from everted eyelids. This usually resolves spontaneously with simple supportive measures and no structural or functional eyelid abnormality remains.