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Elaine Wooler

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Hi all,

We’re currently looking into the finding site for a new concept request: Chemical burn of periocular tissue (disorder).

In doing so, it’s become clear that the terminology for the regions around the eye could use some clarification. Could we get your thoughts on the differences between the following terms?
• Periorbital region
• Ocular adnexa
• Periocular region

Are there key distinctions in how these are used clinically or anatomically? Any overlap or nuances we should keep in mind?

Thanks in advance for your input — really appreciate your help with getting this right.

Contributors (3)

5 Comments

  1. Sally Baxter

    Thanks Elaine Wooler for the question. This is a great point.  In my experience these terms are largely used interchangeably. However, I will consult some of my oculoplastics colleagues to see if they have any input regarding distinctions or if there are preferred terms and will circle back when I hear back. Thanks!

    1. Elaine Wooler

      Thanks Sally Baxter 

  2. Michael Boland

    I decided to break out my vintage Stedman's Medical Dictionary in the hope it would help here.  

    Periocular (see Circumolcular): around the eye

    Periorbital: Relating to the periorbita (Periorbita: orbital fascia, periorbital membrane, periosteum of the orbit)

    Ocular adnexa: the eyelids, lacrimal gland, etc. associated with the eyeball


    So my take - periocular is a non-specific term, periorbital refers to specific structures in the orbit, and ocular adnexa refers to specific structures around the eye (may or may not include periorbital). Given the proposed new term, I think "periocular" is a reasonable term in the case of a chemical burn since we are not referring to specific structures and almost certainly not periorbital.

    1. Elaine Wooler

      Thanks Michael Boland that is very helpful.  Anatomy resources haven’t been particularly helpful in this context, so a clinical perspective and reference to dictionary definitions is valuable.

  3. Sally Baxter

    [~ewooler] I heard back from some colleagues and pasting below:

    “Hi Sally, curious to hear what others think but in my experience the terms are used interchangeably and without specificity. Some individuals may use periorbital to refer to deeper structures in the skull base whereas periocular may generally refer to more superficial facial structures, but I think there is a lot of overlap and lack of specificity. As you know, the orbital adnexa generally refer to accessory structures of the eye itself (orbit, eyelid, lacrimal systems) but I think this term is used broadly as well to include the general anatomic region.

    Kyle J. Godfrey, MD, FACS
    Weill Cornell Medicine
    New York, NY”

    From Don Kikkawa, MD:

    “ Hi Sally. Agree with Kyle.

    Ocular adnexa refers to the structures and the other two terms are more interchangeable and refer more to the area. However it is difficult to differentiate between any of the terms. “