Eyelid mark removal

Numerous types of abnormalities can develop on the skin of the eyelids, both benign and cancerous ones. When treating abnormalities around the eye, the ophthalmologist primarily aims to determine whether the lesion is malignant or not.

Slit lamp assessment is not enough to differentiate between malignant and benign abnormalities; therefore, histopathological examination of all removed skin lesions is recommended.

• a history of skin cancer
• excessive exposure to sunlight
• history of radiotherapy
• smoking
• fair skin, red hair and blue eyes

• slow, painless growth
• ulceration with periodic oozing, bleeding and scabbing on the surface of the lesion
• irregular pigmented marks
• abnormal eyelid margin, loss of eyelashes
• elevated, pearly edges of the nodule
• fine blood vessels visible on the surface of the lesion
• loss of delicate natural skin lines

Before surgery, you will be asked to:

• discontinue your anticoagulant (blood thinner) treatment, but first you need to consult your primary care doctor, cardiologist or other specialist.
• present a certificate of your health and lack of contraindications to an ophthalmic procedure issued by a specialist doctor.

Excision of the nodule with an appropriate margin of healthy tissue is the most recommended method. The benefit of such an approach is the complete removal of the abnormality. Excision also involves histopathological examination of the material and establishing the diagnosis.

A wide resection of the lesion results in eyelid tissue loss, which requires appropriate management. For little tissue loss, it is enough to suture wound margins together. More tissue loss requires surgical treatment (reconstructive eyelid surgery) to restore eyelid function and aesthetics as much as possible.

dr n.med. Danuta Nikratowicz

dr n.med. Wojciech Adamski