The eyelids are extremely important protectors of your eyes. Quick, powerful reflexes make the eyelids close when an object nears or when irritating particles are in the air. The eyelids lubricate your eyes and wipe foreign particles from them. Occasionally the eyelids can be the site of problems.
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| Problems With Eye Sight |
Sties and other eyelid swellings
A sty (hordeolum) is a red lump on the edge of your eyelid that may resemble a boil or a pimple. It stems from a bacterial infection near the root of an eyelash. A sty develops over several days. It fills with pus and becomes painful to touch but is usually harmless to the eye.
Another form of swelling on the eyelid is a chalazion (kuh-LAY-ze-on). Unlike a sty it develops a little farther up and within the eyelid. It's not an infection but a swelling caused by blockage of one of the small oil glands that help lubricate the eye. A chalazion is relatively painless but may be unsightly.
Treatment. About a week after it first appears, a sty usually ruptures, which relieves the pain. The swelling will go down in another week or so. Begin using a clean, warm compress as soon as you feel a sty coming on. Apply the compress four times a day for 10 minutes until the sty opens. Don't squeeze it in an effort to remove the pus - let the sty burst on its own. Once the sty has opened, wash your eyelid thoroughly to prevent the bacteria from spreading.
Consult your doctor if the sty interferes with your vision, does not disappear on its own or is recurring. A particularly stubborn sty may need to be lanced and drained. If you're prone to recurring sties, your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic.
A chalazion will often go away without treatment, although how long that takes may vary from 1 to 2 weeks. Applying a warm compress to it four times a day for 10 minutes will help. You can also massage the area four times a day to break up the lump. If a chalazion gets big enough to affect your vision, your doctor may inject it with a steroid solution or lance it and drain the swelling.
If you have recurring chalazions, your doctor may want to do a biopsy, removing a small sample of tissue to see if the lump is a cancerous tumor.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis (blef-uh-RI-tis) is an inflammation of the eyelids along their edges. Some people produce excess oil in glands near their eyelashes. The oil encourages the growth of bacteria, which can make the eyelids irritated and itchy.
Blepharitis is often a chronic condition that involves seborrheic dermatitis, which is the abnormal secretion of oil in the skin, particularly around the scalp and face. People with rosacea, dandruff or dry eyes are also likely to get blepharitis. Although it's uncomfortable and not very attractive, blepharitis doesn't cause permanent damage to sight.
Signs and symptoms of blepharitis can also include a gritty, burning sensation in your eyes, watery or red eyes, swollen eyelids, and flaking of the skin around the eyes. The eyelids may appear greasy and crusted with scales that cling to the lashes. This debris can cause the eyelids to stick together at night. Don't be concerned if you have to pry your eyes open in the morning because of these sticky secretions.
Treatment. The key to treating chronic eyelid inflammation is good hygiene. This alone may allow you to control symptoms and prevent complications. Follow this self-care remedy one to two times a day:
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| Problems With Eye Sight |
- Apply a warm compress over your closed eyes for 10 minutes.
- Immediately afterward use a washcloth moistened with warm water and a few drops of baby shampoo to wash away any oily debris and scales at the base of the eyelashes.
- Rinse the lids with warm water and gently pat them dry with a clean, dry towel.