(From the same,) an inversion or everson of the eye lids, so that their interior red skin becomes prominent, and the eyes exposed. When this misfortune happens in the superior eye lid, in consequence of its resemblance to a hare's eye, it is called by the Greeks lagophthalmia; but Galen, in his De-finit. Med. makes ectropium an eversion of the eye lids in general. According to Paulus AEgineta, however, lib. vi. cap. 12, the ectropium is peculiar to the under eye lid, and lagophthalmus to the upper; but the term lagophthalmia is sometimes applied to the eye lid, when retracted only, without eversion.

Sometimes this disorder is unaccompanied with any other; but often an inflammation of the eye, a sarcoma, or an encanthis, attends it. When alone, it is caused by cicatrices after wounds, exulcerations, burns, and imprudent use of astringents, or from the protuberance of the internal fleshy parts. In old people a relaxation of the orbicular muscle sometimes occasions it in the lower eye lid. If the eye lid is greatly distorted or contracted, or if the disorder hath been of long continuance, a remedy is rarely to be expected.

When a cicatrix is the cause, it must be softened by a frequent application of the steams of warm water, the egg liquor mentioned in the article anchylosis, etc At night, proper compresses may be applied to confine the eye lids.

When a contraction of the eyelid is the cause, if emollients and compresses fail, an incision in the form of a crescent may be made at a small distance from the eye lashes, to give room for the eye lid to cover the globe: in the upper eye lid the points of the incision should be downwards, and in the under eye lid upwards. The number of incisions may be one or more, according to the degree of the contraction; if more than one are required, the second must be parallel to the first, and at a small distance from it. After the operation at the second dressing, some digestive must be applied to encourage the granulations betwixt the incisions; and slips of sticking plaster used, to keep the upper and lower eyelids close until the incisions are healed. Fungous flesh is to be treated in the usual way. If it arise from a relaxation of the orbicular muscle, relief must be attempted by spirituous and strengthening applications. If tumours in the orbit are the the cause, and they are not of a cancerous kind, the cure will depend on their extirpation. Ware's Remarks on the Oph-thalmy, etc. See Blepharoptosis.

Galen, Celsus, P. AEgineta, Keckius's Dissertation on the Ectropium, Heister's Surgery, London Medical Observations and Inquiries, vol. iv. p. 371. Warner's Cases in Surgery, p. 34. and Mons. St. Yves on the Disorders of the Eyes. Bell's Surgery, vol. iii. p. 287. Wallis's Nosology of the Eyes, p. 13.' White's Surgery, p. 248.