Management of Complex Eyelid Injury

Complex eyelid injuries may occur after blunt or penetrating trauma to the face. The most common causes of trauma are accidents at work, car accidents, falls, sport, violence, and dog bites. Patients are mostly young adults or children who will bear the effects of trauma for the rest of their life. The correct approach and reconstruction are crucial for a good outcome. Ocular adnexal injuries are a common challenge for oculoplastic surgeons and necessitate a systematic approach; they require complete ocular examination including evaluation of the lacrimal drainage system. The best functional and aesthetic results of surgical reconstruction are achieved by appreciation of eyelid anatomy and function, good pre-operative planning, and the correct choice of flaps and grafts to replace the missing tissue. Reconstruction of the damaged lacrimal drainage system is essential and should be performed whenever possible. Good post-operative care is important to achieve optimal results; however, scarring is a challenging complication following soft tissue injury caused by burns or trauma and can be treated using surgical or nonsurgical approaches.