The eyelids primarily perform the protective function of the eye. With each blink, the tear film is evenly distributed, so our eyes remain moisturized and nourished. In addition, the eyelids They prevent dust or 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 injury to the .
The role of the eyelids is very important for the health of our eyes, but they too are sometimes susceptible to various diseases. They should not be ignored. Any symptoms are best consulted with an ophthalmologist. The most common diseases of the protective apparatus of the eye include:
Stye
Caused by a bacterial infection, most commonly staphylococcus. Factors contributing to barley include improper hygiene of the eye area, careless makeup removal, inappropriate eye makeup products and rubbing the eyes with dirty hands. It can appear both on the eyelid and inside.
Barley initially resembles a red spot, and is painful. At a later stage, inflammation develops and ruptures spontaneously. Treatment of barley is usually based on topical antibiotic therapy and warm compresses.
Chalazion
It arises when the sebaceous gland of the eyelid becomes clogged. It may begin as an internal scleroma, with little or no pain. As the chalazion grows, the eyelid may become red, swollen and sometimes sensitive to touch. If the chalazion grows, it can put pressure on the eye and adversely affect visual acuity.
Initially, the ophthalmologist implements drug treatment – ointments or drops with antibiotics or in combination with steroids. If this type of treatment fails, surgical removal is recommended.
Blepharitis
It usually appears in middle-aged or older people. In most cases it occurs symmetrically – on both eyelids. The symptoms most often observed are: redness and swelling of the eyelids, dryness of the eyelid skin and also itching and stinging. The occurrence of eyelid rim inflammation is associated with general diseases (e.g. rosacea, psoriasis), bacterial infection, allergy or Meibom’s gland dysfunction.
Depending on the underlying cause of the disease, the doctor may implement anti-inflammatory treatment (topical antibiotics), additional eyelid hygiene products (e.g. special liquids, wipes), compresses or moisturizing gels/drops.
Demodex
A type of mite that lives on human skin. They are part of the natural microflora of the skin, but when present in excessive numbers, they can cause skin problems, including on the eyelids within the hair follicles of the eyelashes and eyebrows. In patients with neuroma, the edges of the eyelids are swollen, reddened. Eyelashes, on the other hand, are brittle and fall out very easily.
Hookworm infection can occur through contact with infected clothing or bedding, and increasingly in beauty salons (e.g., during eyelash touch-ups) if the reusable tools used are not thoroughly sterilized.
Cysticercosis shows resistance to antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial preparations. Treatment of cysticercosis is difficult and can take many months. An ophthalmologist usually recommends thorough eyelid hygiene and prescribes prescription ointments.
Tear duct obstruction
Everyone has tear ducts, whose role is to drain tears into the nose. If the tear ducts are obstructed, they lead to inflammation of the tear ducts, causing irritation, redness and pain in the eye area. A mucopurulent discharge may also appear in the corner.
The treatment of tear duct obstruction depends primarily on the degree of obstruction and its location. First, tear duct flushing is performed. During the procedure, an ophthalmologist will decongest the tear duct using a special probe and then flush it to confirm its patency. In advanced conditions, more invasive surgical methods are used, including Dakrocystohinostomy (DCR).
If you are experiencing troubling symptoms, including dry eyelid skin, swelling, redness, itching and even pain, come in for a specialized eye exam. An ophthalmic surgeon will check the condition of your eyelids and take a thorough history of your complaints and general health. Appropriate and relatively prompt treatment brings good results.
