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.
Feedback My old water heater started leaking at the pressure valve. I was going to replace the valve, then I looked at the sticker to check how old it is. I was surprised to see that the manufacturing date was in 1996. I did not realize that it had been 20 years since the purchase and installation of the water heater.