Eyelid Edema- Causes and Treatment

Eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. A slight irritation and infection of the eyes can lead to several eye disorders. While some of these disorders can affect the inner parts of the eyes like the cornea or the retina, others can affect the eyelids, and cause swelling and inflammation.

Disorders that affect the eyelids are generally referred to as eyelid disorders. Eyelid edema is a common eyelid disorder that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the eyelid. It can be unilateral or bilateral, and it can affect the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid.

There can be several factors that can cause swelling of the eyelid. Usually, it is caused by an injury or trauma, or an allergic reaction to a particular allergen like pollen, dust, and certain specific food and drugs. Even allergies to certain chemicals used in eye makeup can cause an inflammation or swelling of the eyelid. In addition to these, some other possible causes are, bacterial infections of the eyes, blepharitis, conjunctivitis or pink eye, chalazion, stye, trichinosis, and ocular herpes.

Blepharitis causes the inflammation and crusting of the margins of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis mainly affects the conjunctiva and the inner surface of the eyelid, and it can be caused by bacterial and viral infections.

Styes are usually caused by the bacterial infections of the sebaceous glands of the eye, while chalazion refers to a cyst that develops on the eyelid due to the blockage of the meibomian gland (tear gland).

On the other hand, trichinosis is a disease caused by the infestation of trichina larvae. Trichina is a parasitic nematode, and its larvae can be contracted by eating inadequately cooked meat, especially pork.

The inflammation or swelling of the eyelid is the most common symptom of eyelid edema. Sometimes, redness and pain can be experienced along with swelling. Itching and a burning sensation can also be present, especially if the swelling is caused by insect bites.

The treatment of this condition depends on whether it is caused by an infection, a minor trauma, or allergies. Minor inflammation and swelling of the eyelid can respond to home remedies like cold compression. But if the inflammation is quite severe, then steroid creams and immunosuppressant drugs can be required. The excessive use of steroids can however, cause cataracts besides increasing the intraocular pressure.

Therefore, it is imperative to take adequate care and precaution to make sure that the steroid creams do not enter the eyes. If eyelid edema is caused by allergies, then it is important to identify the specific allergens. Further allergic reactions can be prevented by avoiding the specific allergens and irritants.

It is important to visit a physician or ophthalmologist on observing any kind of inflammation and swelling of the eyelid, in order to rule out the possibility of infections. One major complication associated with this condition is orbital cellulitis, which refers to an infection of the tissues surrounding the eye.

This condition can damage the optic nerves, and cause loss of vision. Therefore, eyelid edema should be evaluated and treated on time. At the same time, be sure to take proper eye care with regular cleaning, and make sure that no foreign particles like dust, allergens, and the residues of eye makeup enter the eyes.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.