ectropion

This is an outward rotation of the lower eyelid, usually associated with laxity of the lower eyelid skin. This rotation causes the eyelid to pull away from the eyeball. This leads to dry eye and tearing problems. Mild cases can be treated with artificial tears and nighttime rewetting ointments.  If the ectropion is bad enough, however, it may need to be corrected surgically, usually by tightening the eyelid to reapproximate its normal position.  There are many causes of ectropion but the most common cause is simply skin laxity from age. The opposite of an ectropion would be an entropion where the eyelid turns inward such that the eyelashes are rubbing against the eye.