Argon laser therapy of benign tumors of the eyelid.

PURPOSE: To report the therapy of benign eyelid tumors with an argon laser as an alternative to surgery.

METHODS: Forty-one patients with 47 benign tumors of the eyelid were included in this study. In all patients, the eyelid tumor was eliminated by argon laser. In 24 cases the lower eyelid and in 23 cases the upper eyelid was involved, including the lid margin in 17 cases. Laser spot size ranged from 150 to 500 microm. Argon laser power density varied between 4.1 and 61.1 W/mm2. Spots were counted between 40 and 1204. Twenty-seven of 41 patients treated were followed up; the mean follow-up period was 5.8 months (range, 3 to 24 months). Postoperatively, histologic confirmation was obtained in 42 cases of the 47 treated tumors.

RESULTS: All patients were satisfied regarding the laser therapy and the cosmetic result. Remarkably, the wounds were dry after argon laser therapy. No infections of the wounds occurred; wounds were epithelialized after 2 to 3 weeks by a normal-appearing epithelium. The area of argon laser treatment was less pigmented than the surrounding skin and showed no obvious remarkable notches. As a complication, one patient developed a viral conjunctivitis. No relapses occurred during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Argon laser therapy of benign eyelid tumors may result in very satisfactory wound healing. Taking the short follow-up and the limited number of cases into account, it seems to be a useful alternative to traditional surgery, especially for tumors positioned close to the lacrimal papillae.