Burn-Induced Cicatricial Eyelid Retraction: A Challenging Case and Review of Management Principles

Thermal and chemical burns can result in cicatricial eyelid retraction, characterized by an abnormal resting position of the eyelid margin and increased palpebral fissure height. Eyelid retraction often leads to exposure keratopathy, which can cause complications ranging from mild dry eye to globe-threatening ulceration and perforation. Prompt intervention includes aggressive lubrication, moisture chambers, eyelid tarsorrhaphy, and retraction repair surgery. Discussed here is a burn patient that developed severe cicatricial eyelid retraction and ectropion, leading to severe exposure keratopathy and infectious corneal ulceration with perforation. The patient required aggressive medical intervention, as well as 2 surgeries to restore the normal eyelid anatomy to protect the globe.