Other causes of ectropion are scarring, burns, trauma (called cicatricial ectropion), spasm of the orbicularis muscle, which may affect either the upper or lower eyelid, or paralysis of the orbicularis muscle in which only the lower eyelid is affected.
It is possible that there is nothing wrong with your water heater. There is a pressure relief valve on top that may be releasing water because your primary water pressure reduction valve for the house is worn out. The fact that the leak is intermittent suggests this.
The puddle of water around the heater is the first sign of the water heater condensation or leak. You might also find black or red granules on the main gas burner, when the condensate was dripping on the hot surface (you will also hear a sizzling noise).