A prospective study of eyelid injuries.

Eyelids play a very important role in maintaining the anatomic and functional integrity of eyeball. Eyelid injuries are common in the present world. Development of industrialization, faster modes of transportation and increase in acts of intentional assaults upon persons are responsible for increase in incidence of eyelid injuries. Eyelid injuries are often associated with vision threatening ocular injuries. Proper examination and management of eyelid injuries is important in preventing eyelid deformities like traumatic lid colomboma and lagophthalmos which can compromise ocular surface and thereby threaten vision. In cases in which they are part of polytrauma, treatment of the life threatening injuries take precedent over management of eyelid injuries. Outcome of repair of eyelid injuries is not affected by delay of 72 hours, if better facilities are made for repair of eyelid injuries and local hygiene of the wound is maintained. Meticulous repair of eyelid injuries is necessary in restoring normal structure and function of eyelids. Early and meticulous primary repair showed satisfactory anatomic and functional outcome. Secondary repair if appropriately managed gave good results due to good vascularity of eyelids. But undue delay and inappropriate treatment can lead to infection and fibrosis which will compromise the outcome of repair. Though complicated primary repairs are rare, high association of injuries to eyeball with eyelid injuries stresses the need for management of all cases of eyelid injuries by ophthalmic surgeon. Early and meticulous repair of eyelid injuries is necessary for restoration of anatomy and function of eyelids