Cutaneous leishmaniasis of the eyelid is unusual, possibly because eyelid movement makes it more difficult for a sandfly to bite the area.
Mechanism of spread: (1) bite of sandfly, (2) self-inoculation from adjacent skin lesion
Clinical features:
(1) reddish nodules on the eyelids, typically near the margin or at the lateral canthus
(2) changes in the adjacent globe, with conjunctivitis and nodular episcleritis
In severe cases the parasite may invade the conjunctiva, sclera or globe (iris, ciliary body, retina).
Complications:
(1) blindness
(2) corneal opacity
(3) trichiasis
(4) lid deformity
Differential diagnosis:
(1) chalazion
(2) dacryocystitis
(3) cyst
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases
