Eyelid irritant contact dermatitis due to fiberglass: an initial report involving the eyelids with review of the literature

Fiberglass is a known cause of irritant contact dermatitis, but it has not been reported to affect the eyelids and is unfamiliar to the ophthalmic community. Even outside of the eyelids, the histopathologic appearance and location of fiberglass deposition is minimally described in the literature. The authors present a case of a 47-year-old female with swelling, crusting, and foreign body sensation involving the right upper eyelid after direct exposure to fiberglass insulation material. Histopathologic examination showed characteristic birefringent fiberglass spicules within the stratum corneum. A review of the current literature revealed that fiberglass dermatitis primarily occurs after occupational exposure. Without such a history, the diagnosis is easily missed clinically and histopathologically, highlighting the importance of careful questioning and skin examination.