Anthrax as the cause of preseptal cellulitis and cicatricial ectropion

A 54-year-old female farmer with anthrax infection of the eyelids is presen ted. She was initially managed with high dose intravenous penicillin G trea tment. Following complete healing of the eyelid lesions, significant cicatr icial ectropion resulted. Her right lower eyelid ectropion was corrected by surgical reconstruction using full thickness skin graft after a period of 6 months during which the cicatrization process stabilized. Satisfactory co smetic and functional improvement was achieved. Anthrax of the eyelid must be considered in the differential diagnosis of preseptal or orbital celluli tis and any reconstructive procedure should be attempted only after the ces sation of the healing process.