[Granuloma annulare of the eyelid]

Granuloma annulare is a chronic inflammatory disease of connective tissue, manifested clinically by small, firm nodules. It is observed only rarely around the eyes.

We present four patients aged 33 to 66 years with papulomatous lesions of the eyelids. The lesions were mildly or not symptomatic. Biopsies were taken. There was no association with any systemic inflammatory disease.

Histology was characteristic for granuloma annulare in all four cases. The clinical course was benign.

When faced with papulomatous lesions of the eyelids, the ophthalmologist may consider a diagnosis of granuloma annulare in patients of any age. While granuloma annulare is generally observed in young persons, one of our patients was aged 66 years.