The eyelids are some of the most sensitive parts of the body. Sometimes, patients suffer from complications on the eyelids. This surprises people, as most people think all eye injuries are in the eye itself. Sometimes, an eye injury, issue, or complication is completely external. Some of the most common eyelid injuries include swelling, itching, drooping, and inflammation.
Depending on the severity of these conditions, treatment such as laser eyelid surgery may be required. Dr. Ghosheh and the team at Advanced Eye Medical are equipped to help patients diagnose and treat eyelid injuries.
Chalazion
If there is significant swelling or a red lump forming on the eyelids, it may be a chalazion. This is defined as a lump that forms due to blockage in your glands. This is a fairly common type of lump that can form on the upper and lower eyelids and not cause for emergency medical concern.
If you have part of your eyelid that becomes swollen, sore, or itchy, and after a few days it forms a lump, you likely have a chalazion. The itchiness and pain can be relieved with a warm compress and humidification. These bumps go away on their own, but they can come back from time to time.
If they become a big issue for you, your doctor may recommend steroid shots, antibiotics, or eyelid surgery to drain the bumps and reduce the risk of contracting them again in the future.
Do not ever attempt to drain a chalazion on your own.
Blepharitis
Also known as eyelid inflammation, blepharitis is an annoying and irritating condition that can cause your eyelids to become itchy. Blepharitis forms when your eye’s oil glands become inflamed.
According to WebMD research, blepharitis is also one of the most common contributing factors of dry eyes.
Some symptoms of blepharitis include:
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Burning or itching
- A feeling of something stuck in your eye
- Crust on your eyes when you wake up in the morning
When you visit your trusted eye doctor for an appointment, they will likely check the inside and outside of your eyes. Your eyelids, lashes, and surrounding skin are all important places to look for other causes of blepharitis.
While there is no cure for this condition, you can treat the symptoms by putting a hot compress over your eyes several times per day.
Trichiasis
Trichiasis is another common problem with the eyelids. This problem occurs when the eyelashes grow inward towards the eye, rather than outward. This can cause itching, pain, sensitivity, and a myriad of other uncomfortable symptoms.
But what exactly causes the eyelashes to grow inward like that? There are several things. It could be due to a prior eye injury, or it can be the result of an infection. It could be because you rub your eyes too much. Sometimes, there is no known cause to figure out why the lashes have grown inward.
It is important to get trichiasis treated before it causes an infection. Treatment may involve removing the problematic eyelashes so that they can regrow in the right direction. Most people experience trichiasis during childhood but grow out of it as they become adults.
Get the Right Treatment for Your Healthy Eyes!
At Advanced Eye Medical, we want to know about everything that goes on in and around your eyes – and that includes common eyelid injuries. From time to time, patients may experience itching, swelling, or pain around the eyelids for many different reasons. Whether due to a bump or an ingrown hair, our medical team can help you find the best treatment solution right away. Get in touch with the top eye doctor in Mission Viejo today to learn more about keeping your eyes and eyelids healthy for a lifetime!