To report a case of meibomian gland dysfunction as a chronic complication of eyelid tattooing and the corneal epithelial defect as an acute complication of eyelid tattooing well healed with proper treatment.

A 31-year-old woman presented with severe eye pain, irritation and epiphora in both eyes. The patient underwent an eyelid tattooing procedure 2 hours before and dark pigments were placed on the inner eyelid margin. Slit lamp examination showed conjunctival injection and inferior corneal epithelial defect in both eyes. After 2 months, dry eye symptom still remained although the cornea was completely epithelialized. After 1 year, the patient improved completely, but still showed decreased tear film breakup time (TBUT).

Due to the increased number of people who undergo cosmetic eyelid tattooing procedures, the number of reports associated with complications has increased and acute complications such as corneal epithelial defect can occur. Moreover, chronic discomfort associated with dry eye syndrome can occur when pigmentation is placed on the eyelid inner margin and lead to the destruction of meibomian glands. Thus, eyelid tattooing should be performed after careful consideration of possible complications.