Swollen eyelid
Symptoms
- Swollen eyelid
- Eye irritation
- Redness of the eyelid
Diagnostics
Determined by a thorough eye examination
Treatment
- Depends on the cause of occurrence
What is a swollen eyelid?
A swollen eyelid is an eye condition that is usually a symptom of another disease. Usually the swelling goes away within a few days, but if any of these symptoms occur, you should see your GP as soon as possible:
- Persistent swelling of the eyelids;
- Blurred or impaired vision;
- Pain in or around the eye;
- It feels like something is stuck in your eye.
What are the symptoms of eyelid swelling?
Depending on the underlying cause, the following may also occur:
- Eye irritation, such as itching or the urge to squint;
- Light sensitivity (photophobia);
- Tearful eyes;
- Visual impairment (depending on the extent of swelling);
- Eyelid redness;
- Dryness or flaking of the eyelids;
- Sensitivity, especially when eyelid swelling is caused by infection.
What causes swelling of the eyelid?
Swelling of the eyelid can be caused by a number of reasons, including but not limited to the following:
- Injury to the eye or surrounding areas can cause inflammation and swelling of the eyelids, for example, if you fall or hit your eye during sports;
- Conjunctivitis, also known as ‘pink eye’, damages the surface of the eye but can also cause inflammation and swelling of the eyelids;
- Eye allergies occur when the body reacts to certain substances called allergens. Allergens can include: dust, pet fur,
- Pollen, certain eye drops or contact lens solutions, as well as some make-up products;
- Barley, although usually just small, tender bumps on the edge of the eyelid, can cause swelling of the entire eyelid;
- Chalazion, a hard cyst that develops on the eyelid. Often confused with barley, it can cause sensitivity and swelling of the eyelid.
How is a swollen eyelid diagnosed?
A swollen eyelid usually goes away on its own, but if you’ve been to an eye care professional, the aim of the visit is to find out what caused the symptom. For example, if your eyelid is swollen because of an infection, your eye care professional will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
What help is available?
Your GP or eye care professional will advise you on the most appropriate treatment, but there are a few things you can try if you think the swelling may be allergy-related:
- Wash your face with clean water;
- Use eye drops to clean your eyes and reduce itching;
- Apply a cool compress, such as a damp flannel, to the eye to reduce irritation and swelling.
Take care of your eyes!
Visit your nearest Optikos pasaulio showroom or register for an ophthalmologist consultation at Familia Clinica in Vilnius (Nemenčinės pl. 4D) and get a 15% discount with your Optikos pasaulio loyalty card.
Frequently asked questions
Ar galima išvengti akies voko patinimo?
Priklausomai nuo tinimo priežasties, galima imtis tam tikrų priemonių to išvengti. Patarimo kreipkitės į bendrosios praktikos gydytoją.
Ar kontaktiniaii lęšiai gali sukelti akies voko patinimą?
Akių vokų patinimas gali būti susijęs su tam tikromis akių infekcijomis, atsirandančiomis dėl netinkamos kontaktinių lęšių priežiūros, pavyzdžiui, nešiojant juos maudantis ar laikant nešvariuose kontaktinių lęšių dėkluose.
Ar žiedadulkės gali sukelti akies voko patinimą?
Jei esate alergiškas žiedadulkėms (šienligė), gali atsirasti patinimo, paraudimo, niežėjimo ir diskomforto simptomai.
