Featured Article for August 31, 2020
Canalicular laceration (trauma)
Canalicular trauma refers to sudden physical injury that results in damage to the lacrimal drainage system of the eye. The lacrimal canaliculi are located within the medial aspect of the eyelid. This area area is unlike the rest of the eyelid because it does not contain a tarsal substructure. Therefore, a force which displaces the eyelid from its strong attachment at the medial canthal tendon, lacrimal, and maxillary bone, tend to cause avulsion in the medial aspect of the eyelid. Many types of trauma to the face may result in damage to the lacrimal drainage system. Dog bites are a common cause of canalicular lacerations because of the propensity of this type of injury to occur near the medial canthus as are blunt shear injuries.
