Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelids and solar ultraviolet radiation exposure

Aims - To compare the distribution of eyelid basal cell carcinoma (BCC) wit h the relative ultraviolet radiation (WR) exposure to different sites on th e eyelids. Methods - The location of BCC on the eyelids was allocated to one of seven regions. The UVR exposure was recorded with a polymer film attached to the eyelids at seven sites in a manikin and in human subjects. Results - Localisation of the 329 tumours was mainly on the lower eyelids ( 225 tumours), and the medial canthal regions (87 tumours). There was no ass ociation between WR doses at the seven sites of the eyelids and the locatio n of BCCs. The UVR exposure was similar on the upper and lower eyelids, whi le the number of tumours on the lower eyelids outnumbered the upper lids by a factor of 13 (17 upper, 225 lower). Conclusion - UVR exposure only partially explains the aetiology of periorbi tal BCC.