Periorbital dermatitis is common and frequently recalcitrant to treatment . Due to the exposed and visible location, patients often suffer severely from periorbital dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and causes of periorbital dermatitis including contact sensitizers. METHODS: We investigated two cohorts of patients (Erlangen and IVDK without Erlangen) between 1999 and 2004. RESULTS: The differences between the two cohorts with periorbital dermatitis [Department of Dermatology at University Hospital Erlangen (n = 88) and the German Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) collective (n = 2035)] were determined by the MOAHLFA (male, occupational dermatosis, atopic eczema, hand dermatitis, leg dermatitis, facial dermatitis, age > or = 40 years) index. Statistically significant factors for periocular eczema are female sex, atopic skin diathesis and age > or = 40 years. In both cohorts allergic contact dermatitis was the main cause of periorbital eczema...