Evaluation of tear function after spontaneous granulation healing (laissez–faire technique) in eyelid tumor surgery

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tear dynamics and ophthalmological findings in patients who underwent spontaneous granulation healing after eyelid tumor excision.
METHODS: Ten eyes of 10 patients with complaints of eyelid tumors were included in the study. Demographic information of the patients, presence of systemic diseases, pathological diagnosis, size of the lesion, size of the excised area, tear dynamics (Schirmer-I test, tear break-up time), and ocular findings of the lid left for secondary healing after excision were evaluated retrospectively.
RESULTS: Ten patients (five females and five males) with a mean age of 68±14.4 years were followed up with spontaneous granulation healing after eyelid excision. The healing time of the eyelids was 21.5±4.9 days. The mean value of the Schirmer-I test was 11.7±1.25 mm before the operation, and the mean Schirmer-I test was 7.42±2.14 mm at the 1st month after the operation (p<0.001). Tear break-up time was found to be 12.8±2.36 s preoperatively and 8 ± 2.51 s at the 1st month postoperatively (p=0.003). A positive correlation was found between age and the length of the eyelid healing time (r=0.685, p=0.045).
CONCLUSION: Spontaneous granulation healing after eyelid tumor excision may lead to a significant reduction in tear stability. Despite these changes in tear dynamics, the technique appears to be a feasible option for eyelid reconstruction, offering satisfactory healing without major complications.

Keywords: Eyelid tumor, Laissez-Faire technique, spontaneous granulation healing, tear dynamics.