Ectropion
Ectropion is where the lower eyelid turns outwards, away from the eye, leaving it dry and watery. It is usually corrected with a small operation. Read more about ectropion →
If symptoms are sudden, severe or getting worse, contact your GP or NHS 111.
Where are you up to?
The NHS reports waiting times by specialty, not by individual condition, so this is the ophthalmology wait (not specific to ectropion), updated August 2026. Enter a postcode to see the hospitals near you.
ophthalmology waiting times by hospital
| Trust | Location | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | Birmingham | 2 weeks |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Dorset | 4 weeks |
| The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust | Dudley | 5 weeks |
| Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | Reigate and Banstead | 5 weeks |
| Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust | Wiltshire | 6 weeks |
| London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust | Brent | 6 weeks |
| Airedale NHS Foundation Trust | Bradford | 6 weeks |
| Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Cheshire East | 7 weeks |
About ectropion
Ectropion is when the lower eyelid turns outwards, away from the eye, so it no longer sits snugly against it. This can leave the eye feeling dry, sore and watery, and make it harder to close the eye fully. It mostly affects older adults as the eyelid tissues loosen with age.
How it is treated
If symptoms are mild, lubricating drops or ointment keep the eye comfortable and taping the lid can help for a short time. When ectropion is more troublesome, a small operation under local anaesthetic tightens the tissues around the eye to return the lid to its normal position.
After treatment
Drops and ointment ease dryness but don't correct the lid itself. After surgery the eye is usually much more comfortable, the lid sits against the eye again, and most people recover within a couple of weeks.
Sources: NHS: Ectropion. Last updated October 2026.
General information only, not medical advice. Wait or Pay is independent and is not the NHS. Your GP decides what care, if any, you need.