J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2010 Aug;51(8):1139-1141.

An Eyelash-induced Lacrimal Gland Stone

• Kwon YD
• Lim JW

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report a case of lacrimal gland stone initiated by an eyelash.
CASE SUMMARY
A 31-year-old woman presented with foreign body sensation, pain, and conjunctival injection in the lateral palpebral conjunctiva of her right eye over 6 months in duration. The physical examination revealed a small, firm nodule at the lateral canthal area. The excisional biopsy was performed, and the mass was a concretion that contained an eyelash in the center. During one-year follow-up, the patient showed no signs of recurrence or complication after excision.
CONCLUSIONS
Although rare in occurence, eyelashes may be the initial nidus for lacrimal gland stone formation.

Keyword

Eyelash; Lacrimal gland stone

MeSH Terms

Adult
Biopsy
Conjunctiva
Eye
Eyelashes
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Foreign Bodies
Humans
Lacrimal Apparatus
Physical Examination
Recurrence
Sensation

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. Non-tender, yellowish mass in the lateral canthal area of the right eye.

• 

  Figure 2. Macroscopic view of an eyelash (arrow) removed from the center of the mass and the stone fragments excised from the lateral canthal area.

• 

  Figure 3. Histopathologic examination of a mass (H&E stain, ×200). (A) Eosinophilic amorphous and granular material with a area of cystic wall (removed stone)(arrow). (B) Non-specific chronic inflammatory cells infiltrated. There is no ductule or glands.

Reference

References

1. Zafar A, Jordan DR, Brownstein S, Faraji H. Asymptomatic lacrimal ductule dacryolithiasis with embedded cilia. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004; 20:83–5.

2. Baratz KH, Bartley GB, Campbell RJ, Garrity JA. An eyelash nidus for dacryoliths of the lacrimal excretory and secretory systems. Am J Ophthalmol. 1991; 111:624–7.

3. Jay JL, Lee WR. Dacryolith formation around an eyelash retained in lacrimal sac. Br J Ophthalmol. 1976; 60:722–5.

4. Baker RH, Bartley GB. Lacrimal gland ductule stones. Ophthalmolgy. 1990; 97:531–4.

5. Duke-Elder S, editor. System of ophthalmology. Vol. XIII The ocular adenexa part 2: lacrimal, orbital and paraorbital diseases. St. Louis: CV Mosby Co.;1974. p. 672.

6. Mawn LA, Sanon A, Conlon MR, Nerad JA. Pseudomonas dacryoadenitis secondary to a lacrimal gland ductule stone. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997; 13:135–8.

7. Halborg J, prause JU, Toft PB, et al. Stones in the lacrimal gland: a rare condition. Acta Ophthalmol. 2009; 87:672–6.

8. Marthin JK, Lindegaard J, Prause JU, Heegaard S. Lesions of the lacrimal drainage system: a clinicopathological study of 643 biopsy specimens of the lacrimal drainage system in Denmark 1910–1999. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2005; 83:94–9.

9. Garfin SW. Etiology of dacryocystitis and epiphora. Arch ophthalmol. 1942; 27:167–88.