Eyelid laceration

Eyelid lacerations are not common, but require basic knowledge of eyelid anatomy. A thorough physical exam of the eye is required to determine if urgent or emergent ophthalmology consult will be required.

The following injuries should result in an ophthalmology consult from the emergency department: • Inner lid surface disruption • Lid margin disruption • Lacrimal duct involvement • Canaliculus or canthal involvement • Ptosis • Tarsal plate involvement

In this particular patient, the upper lid had a small medial lid margin laceration along with significant abrasions. The lower lid had a significant laceration that involved the inferior canaliculus, as evident by the lacrimal punctum on the lateral margin of the laceration. The patient was taken to the O.R. by ophthalmology and the lacerations were repaired without difficulty.