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 lack of a drain pan for your water heater exposes you to flooding risks. As water heaters age, the inside tanks that contain water can weaken from rust and corrosion. This causes the tanks to leak, and in some cases, rupture, dumping the water contained inside the tank.