Clinical Characteristics and Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes in Traumatic Eyelid Lacerations in the Geriatric Population.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the demographic characteristics, etiology, clinical outcomes, treatment methods, complications, and functional outcomes of traumatic upper and lower eyelid lacerations in elderly individuals.

METHODS

At the presentation, the age, gender, affected eye and eyelids, etiology and place of trauma, type of trauma, and any accompanying adnexal injuries were recorded for all patients. Treatment outcomes were analyzed in the early postoperative period (first month) and the late postoperative period (sixth month). The primary endpoint is the restoration of eyelid integrity and the absence of lagophthalmos. Secondary endpoints include the presence of infection, scar formation, entropion or ectropion, and epiphora.

RESULTS

Eyelid integrity was achieved in 95.8% (n=46) of patients in the early postoperative period. The lagophthalmos observed in 1 (2.08%) patient in the early period resolved during follow-up. While no cases of entropion or ectropion were observed in patients during the early postoperative period, entropion/ectropion was observed in a total of 4 (8.33%) patients in the later period. Among the 15 (31.25%) patients with lacrimal system injury, epiphora observed in the early postoperative period persisted in 3 (6.25%) patients during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study demonstrates that falls are the most common cause of traumatic eyelid injuries in older patients and that these injuries predominantly occur in the home and daily living environments. Developing fall-prevention strategies for elderly patients, performing careful anatomic assessment following trauma, and ensuring long-term follow-up are of great importance for improving both functional and aesthetic outcomes.