Evaluation of Meibomian Gland Function after Therapy of Eyelid Tumors at Palpebral Margin with Super Pulse CO(2) Laser

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect on meibomian gland function of super pulse carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser excision in the treatment of eyelid tumors at palpebral margin. METHODS: 36 patients with 36 eyelid tumor size ≤ 1 cm and within 1 mm to palpebral margin were recruited in this study. Of which, 16 cases with tumors in the upper eyelid and 20 cases in the lower eyelid were involved. The eyelid tumors of all the patients were treated by super pulse CO(2) laser with its power density varied between 0.6 and 21.1 W/mm(2) and in repeat mode. The laser spot size ranged from 120 to 200 μm. Ocular surface parameters including tear film break-up time (BUT) and meibograde, meibum expressibility, and meibum quality were evaluated at pretherapy, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months posttherapy in all 36 patients. RESULT: All the patients were satisfied with the therapy. No infective complications and recurrence occurred in any of the 36 patients at the following period. The eyelid wound recovered well with nearly normal appearing after 2 to 3 weeks. The morphology of limbi palpebralis, BUT, meibograde, meibum expressibility, and meibum quality of all the 36 patients showed no significant difference before and after the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Super pulse CO(2) laser had no effect on meibomian gland function and morphology in the excision of tumors at palpebral margins, which was an efficacy and well-tolerated therapy with lower complications and recurrence.