J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2013 Aug;54(8):1309-1313.

A Case of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction after Cosmetic Eyelid Tattooing Procedure

• Seol BR
• Kwon JW
• Wee WR
• Han YK

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report a case of meibomian gland dysfunction as a chronic complication of eyelid tattooing and the corneal epithelial defect as an acute complication of eyelid tattooing well healed with proper treatment.
CASE SUMMARY
A 31-year-old woman presented with severe eye pain, irritation and epiphora in both eyes. The patient underwent an eyelid tattooing procedure 2 hours before and dark pigments were placed on the inner eyelid margin. Slit lamp examination showed conjunctival injection and inferior corneal epithelial defect in both eyes. After 2 months, dry eye symptom still remained although the cornea was completely epithelialized. After 1 year, the patient improved completely, but still showed decreased tear film breakup time (TBUT).
CONCLUSIONS
Due to the increased number of people who undergo cosmetic eyelid tattooing procedures, the number of reports associated with complications has increased and acute complications such as corneal epithelial defect can occur. Moreover, chronic discomfort associated with dry eye syndrome can occur when pigmentation is placed on the eyelid inner margin and lead to the destruction of meibomian glands. Thus, eyelid tattooing should be performed after careful consideration of possible complications.

Keyword

Corneal epithelial defect; Cosmetic eyelid tattooing; Meibomian gland dysfunction

MeSH Terms

Cornea
Cosmetics
Dry Eye Syndromes
Eye
Eye Pain
Eyelids
Female
Humans
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases
Meibomian Glands
Pigmentation
Tattooing
Tears
Cosmetics

Figure

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  Figure 1. Photograph shows a severe epithelial defect at inferior cornea in the right eye (A) and in the left eye (B) on the day of cos-metic tattooing.

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  Figure 2. Photograph shows cosmetic tattoo at inner margin of eyelid involving meibomian gland orifices. Lid margin injection and telangiectasis were shown in the right eye (A) and in the left eye (B) 3 days after eyelid tattooing.

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  Figure 3. Photograph shows remained pigmentation at inner margin of eyelid and severe meibomian gland plugging in the right eye (A) and in the left eye (B) 2 months after eyelid tattooing.

Reference

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