Eyelid diseases – causes of occurrence and treatment

The primary function of the eyelids is to protect the eye. With each blink, the tear film is evenly distributed, which enables our eyes to remain moisturised and nourished. Moreover, the eyelids prevent dust from getting into the eyes. The fact that we close them reflexively also regulates the amount of light that enters the eyes, and prevents injuries.

The role of the eyelids is essential for the health of our eyes, but they are also susceptible to various diseases, which should not be ignored. It is recommendable to consult any worrying symptoms with an ophthalmologist. The most common diseases of the eye protective apparatus include:

• Stye – caused by a bacterial infection, most often staphylococcus. Common factors contributing to the occurrence of a stye are: improper hygiene of the eye area, careless makeup removal, inappropriately selected eye makeup products and rubbing the eyes with dirty hands. A stye can appear both on the eyelid and inside.
  
  A stye initially resembles a red spot and it is painful. In a later phase, inflammation develops and spontaneous rupture occurs. Treatment for a stye is usually based on topical antibiotic therapy and application of warm compresses.
• Chalazion – occurs when the sebaceous gland of the eyelid becomes clogged. It may start as an internal stye with little or no pain. As the chalazion grows, the eyelid may become red, swollen and in some cases oversensitive to touch. If the chalazion increases in size, it may press on the eye and negatively affect visual acuity.
  
  At the initial stage, pharmacological treatment is usually implemented in the form of ointments or eye drops with antibiotics in combination with steroids. If this type of treatment fails, surgical removal (https://www.artlife.com.pl/en/offer/minor-eye-treatments.php) is recommended.
• Blepharitis – inflammation along the edges of the eyelids that usually occurs in middle-aged or elderly people. In most cases, it develops symmetrically on both eyelids. The most frequently observed symptoms are: redness and swelling of the eyelids, dry skin of the eyelids, as well as itching and stinging. The development of blepharitis is related to general diseases (e.g. rosacea, psoriasis), bacterial infection, allergy or meibomian gland dysfunction.
  
  Depending on the cause of the disease, anti-inflammatory treatment may be implemented  (topical administration of antibiotics), as well as additional eyelid hygiene products (e.g. special liquids and wipes), compresses or moisturising gels/drops.
• Demodex – a type of mite that lives on human skin. They are part of the natural skin microflora, yet when present in excessive amounts, they may cause skin problems, e.g. on the eyelids within the hair follicles of the eyelashes and eyebrows. In patients with demodicosis, the edges of the eyelids are red and swollen, and the eyelashes are brittle and fall out very easily.
  
  Demodex infection may occur through contact with infected clothing or bedding, and more and more often in beauty salons (e.g. during an eyelash extension procedure) if the reusable tools used by beauticians are not properly sterilised.
  
  Demodex is resistant to antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial products. Treatment of demodicosis is difficult and may last for many months Ophthalmologists usually recommend thorough eyelid hygiene and prescribe prescription ointments.
• Tear duct obstruction – each of us has tear ducts whose role is to drain tears into the nose. If the tear ducts are blocked, inflammation develops, causing irritation, redness and pain around the eyes. Mucopurulent discharge may also appear in the eye corner.
  
  The treatment method for tear duct obstruction depends primarily on the degree and location of the obstruction. First, tear duct irrigation is performed to unclog the duct and improve drainage. During the procedure, the ophthalmologist clears out the blockage in the tear duct with the use of a special probe and then rinses the duct to confirm it is no longer obstructed. In more severe cases, invasive surgical methods are applied, such as dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

If you notice any worrying symptoms, e.g. the dryness of the skin on the eyelids, swelling, redness, itching, stinging or pain sensations, make an appointment for a specialist ophthalmologic examination. An ophthalmic surgeon will check the condition of your eyelids and take a thorough medical history regarding any ailments and your general health condition. When appropriately selected and relatively quickly implemented, treatment normally brings good results.

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