Evaluation of The Efficacy of Argon Laser in Treatment of Xanthelasma Palpebrarum using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

Background: Xanthelasma palpebrarum [XP] is the most common of the xanthomas with asymptomatic, symmetrical, bilateral, soft, yellow, polygonal papules around the eyelids. The surgical laser offers an extremely elegant and powerful solution to this problem.  Aim of the work:To evaluate the efficacy of Argon Laser in treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum, based on ultrasound biomicroscopy [UBM]. Preoperatively, full history and clinical examination had been carried out. Patients and Methods: The study included 45 eyelids of 27 patients [13 males and 14 females] presenting with xanthelasma lesion. They underwent single session treatment of XP by Argon Laser, which had been performed on an outpatient basis. Postoperative UBM had been used to ensure eradication of the lesion. Follow up of the patient every 2 weeks in the first month then after 6 months]. Results: The UBM was successfully used preoperatively to determine the maximal lesion thickness that can be effectively safely eradicated in only single session. The therapy was well tolerated, and all lesions responded to the therapy in only single session. There were no functional or relevant aesthetic complications. The cosmetic outcome was considered to be excellent in 80% and good in 6.7%of the cases. The study included 45 eyelids, 36 [80.0%] of them had excellent, 3 [6.7%] had good, 2 [4.4%] had satisfactory and only 4[8.9%] patients had poor cosmetic outcome. There were no recorded recurrent cases [0.0%] in the present study. Conclusion: Argon laser photocoagulation [single session] represents an alternative treatment in selected cases. It is easy to be performed well tolerated by the patients. In addition, UBM was important to determine the maximal lesion thickness that can be eradicated safely in only one session.