Chronic Lymphedema of the Eyelid: Case Series

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features, management and outcomes of treatment of chronic lymphedema of the eyelid in a tertiary referral setting. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: 15 patients referred to the authors with unilateral or bilateral eyelid swelling of greater than 3 months duration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical features, patient management, response to treatment. RESULTS: Chronic eyelid lymphedema was associated with acne rosacea in 9 patients, radiotherapy in 1 patient, trauma in 1 patient and post-vitrectomy silicone oil leak in 1 patient. In the remaining 4 patients no associated condition or factor was identified. Surgical debulking was performed in 9 cases with improvement in all cases and no complications. CONCLUSION: Chronic eyelid lymphedema is a rare condition most commonly associated with rosacea. In our experience, surgical resection of involved subcutaneous tissue was helpful.