Eyelid burns occurred in 67% of the 210 patients with facial burns admitted to the San Diego Regional Burn Center between 1 December 1977 and 30 June 1982. Evaluation of 48 surviving patients with significant eyelid injury demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of early excision and grafting of eyelid burns. Tarsorrhaphies were found not to be useful in preventing ectropion and resulted in deformity of the lid margins. Our technique employing early excision and grafting and reconstruction of eyelid burns is illustrated.