Eyelid
The eyelid is defined as a thin layer of skin and muscle that protects the front of the eye. It also regulates the amount of light reaching the eye, as well as regulating the flow of tears. The eyelid consists of several layers; beginning with the skin, then the subcutaneous tissue, then multiple layers of muscle, and thin layers of fat down to the conjunctiva. Man has two upper and lower eyelids that are similar in structure, but they differ in motor function, each moving against the other.
Causes of swelling of the eyelid
Eyelid swelling occurs as a result of irritation or excessive fluid, and may be infected by the eyelid or one, and may be accompanied by pain in some cases, while not painful in other cases, and may be the itching in some cases. And the swelling of the eyelid several reasons ranging from light intensity to serious, and the most important of these reasons:
- Allergy As with any part of the body, sensitivity may affect the eye as well. When the body’s immune system is over-reacted against any external body, these external objects may be either dirt, eye drops, contact lenses, or pet effects. When the eye is exposed to one of these external bodies, the immune system secretes a chemical called histamine, in an attempt to protect the eye. Histamine affects blood vessels, causing them to expand and swell. It also causes itching in mucous membranes, and also causes redness of the eye and increased tear.
- Conjunctivitis : The conjunctiva is a thin mucous membrane lining the eyelid from the inside and covers the whiteness of the eye (or so-called solid). Conjunctivitis may be caused by either allergies or a bacterial or viral infection. The condition of conjunctivitis is called pink eye, and is usually accompanied by swelling of the eyelid in addition to the itching and redness, and increased tears.
- The suffering of the beggar of the eye : It usually appears in the form of swelling and redness of the edge of the eyelid, and arises from the infection of bacteria that causes irritation of the membrane Mibomian, which is one of the sebaceous glands in the eyelid, and produces swelling of the eyelid in this case of blockage channels of these glands. An eye brow may cause swelling of the entire eyelid, and may cause severe pain when touched.
- Cold infection : A fatty sac appears on the eyelid as a result of the obstruction of the mibomian gland as well. The ophthalmologist is similar in appearance to the beginning, but differs from it in many ways. The chard then turns into a hard-edged, greasy sack, often appearing away from the edge of the eyelid, as opposed to the eye brow that appears nearby. They are similar in that both cause swelling of the eyelid and also make the affected area painful when touched.
- Eyelid swelling may occur to people who wear contact lenses , If the lenses are dirty, stored in an unclean folder, or if the patient is swimming and is wearing it, it may cause eye irritation or inflammation. Wear of broken or damaged contact lenses may result in swelling of the eyelid.
- Suffering from an inflammation of the eyelid : It is characterized by inflammation of the swelling of the eyelid in addition to feeling pain, and may be accompanied by skin peeling in this region, and may suffer from the loss of eyelashes as well. This inflammation is caused by a defect in the sebaceous glands in the eyelid, and is usually a chronic condition, meaning that it will accompany the patient throughout his life and there is no cure for it, but the symptoms can be controlled by taking appropriate medications, and healthy habits. It may also be accompanied by a bacterial infection.
- Inflammation of dermatitis surrounding the eye , Which is a serious bacterial infection that affects the surrounding tissues of the eye, causing redness, swelling and pain of upper and lower eyelids, and may extend symptoms to include the eyebrow or cheek, and may also be accompanied by the emergence of other symptoms, such as the eyes, or poor vision, or high body temperature, or pain in Eye itself when moving. Although rare, this inflammation is an emergency that usually requires intravenous antibiotics to prevent complications, such as damage to the optic nerve, permanent blindness, etc.
- Suffering from herpes infection : The symptoms of this inflammation may be similar to the symptoms of conjunctivitis, and may cause painful ulcers in the eyelid, as well as blurred vision caused by corneal irritation and swelling of the eyelid. The severity of the inflammation ranges from mild to serious, which can cause serious damage to the eye, and the cornea must be replaced.
- Graves disease : A disease caused by hyperthyroidism hormone thyroxine of the thyroid, causes swelling of the eyelids, and the emergence of the eyes, as well as double vision, and drown the eyelid.
- Nephrotic Syndrome : A group of diseases that infect the kidney, causing the retention of fluids in the body, resulting in the swelling of many members of the body, including eyelid eye.
Treatment of eyelid swelling
There is no specific treatment for swelling of the eyelid, as treatment varies depending on the cause behind the occurrence. Doctors are advised to use warm water bandages on the affected eye in an attempt to relieve the swelling and pain associated with it, but it does not stop going to the doctor to determine the cause of the swelling and appropriate treatment.