Fortuitous tarsorrhaphy: Management of accidental cyanoacrylate glue exposure in the eye

A 60-year-old homeless Asian male presented to the emergency department unable to open his eyes due to inadvertent application of cyanoacrylate glue by an unknown person while he was asleep. Examination revealed matted eyelashes and overactive frontalis muscles [Fig. 1a]. Cyanoacrylate glue bonds quickly upon contact with moisture, causing mechanical adhesion of eyelashes and potential ocular surface damage.Figure 1: (a) Grayish white material over the eyelashes leading to inability to open eyes with overaction of frontalis muscle. (b) Well-opened eyelids with relaxation of frontalis muscleInitial management involved applying a saline-soaked gauze to the eyelids for 30 minutes, allowing partial separation. Persistent glue on the eyelashes necessitated trimming, which relieved symptoms without causing further damage [Fig. 1b]. Post-procedure examination showed no corneal epithelial defects. Cyanoacrylate glue exposure requires careful handling to avoid ocular damage. While solvents like sodium bicarbonate and acetone can dissolve the adhesive, their ocular toxicity limits use. Mechanical methods, as employed in this case, are safer. This case underscores the importance of prompt, careful management and contributes to the knowledge of handling similar ocular emergencies effectively.[1] Declaration of patient consent The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed. Financial support and sponsorship: Nil. Conflicts of interest: There are no conflicts of interest.