Evaluation of carbon dioxide laser therapy for benign tumors of the eyelid margin.

Eyelid margin tumors require special attention based on both anatomical and histological perspectives. Our aim in this study was to evaluate carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy for the treatment of eyelid margin tumors. Fifty-two patients with 55 eyelid margin tumors were included in this study. All tumors were removed with a CO2 laser, and histopathological evaluation was obtained in 52 cases. All patients were followed up for a mean period of 8.5 months (range 6 to 14 months). There were no bleedings in the intra- and postoperative period; the wounds were dry and reepithelized after 10-14 days and no recurrence occurred during follow-up period. Compared to the surrounding tissue, the treated area was hypopigmented and maximum five eyelashes (average 2.5) were wasted during the procedure. We achieved complete patient and surgeon satisfaction with cosmetic and therapeutic results. CO2 laser treatment of eyelid margin is a safe and effective procedure; its cosmetic result is beneficial as it does not cause malposition of the eyelid or damage to the lacrimal drainage system if the tumor is located in its proximity.