• Merck Manual
• >
• Patients & Caregivers
• >
• Injuries and Poisoning
• >
• Injuries to the Eye
4

If the skin around the eye or on the eyelid has been cut, stitches may be needed. When possible, stitches near the edge of the eyelid should be placed by an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye disorders) to ensure that no deformities develop that will affect the way the eyelids close. An injury that causes the eyelid to droop or affects the tear ducts (ducts that drain tears off of the eye) also should be repaired by an ophthalmologist. The tear ducts are in parts of both the lower and upper eyelids nearest the nose.

Last full review/revision May 2007 by Kathryn Colby, MD, PhD