Blepharitis (Eyelid Inflammation): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Swelling in the eyelids is called blepharitis in medical language, which is a type of infection that usually occurs in the eye. This infection is seen with conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) in most cases. Blepharitis can begin in childhood and last a lifetime as a chronic disease. In some cases, the problem of swelling in the eyelids becomes serious and is called the later stage of blepharitis. As we have told you above that swelling in the eyelids is usually caused by infection and in most cases this infection is caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus. Along with swelling of the eyelids, its other symptoms include redness of the eyes, itching, burning, and pain in the eyes, watery eyes, and loss of hair on the eyelids, etc. Eyelid swelling is usually treated according to its underlying cause and severity.

Symptoms of eyelid swelling

Swelling of eyelids is the most important symptom of blepharitis. But as it is a type of infection, other symptoms can also develop. According to Doctors, Ophthalmologist and Consultant, at Eye Hospital, Mumbai, the following symptoms can also be seen in blepharitis –

    • feeling as if something has gone into the eyes
    • red eyes
    • itching and burning in the eyes
    • Swelling along with redness of the eyelids
    • crusting around the eyes
    • Inability to tolerate light (sensitivity to light)
    • eyelash hair loss

When to see a doctor

If the symptoms are not reducing even after taking good care of the eyes, then you should contact a doctor. Also, if the symptoms mentioned above can sometimes develop due to some other eye related problem apart from blepharitis, there should be no delay in talking to the doctor.

Causes of swelling of eyelids

According to Dr. Anand, in most cases, swelling of the eyelids is caused by infection with a bacteria called Staphylococcus. However, apart from infection, there are many other reasons due to which eyelids become swollen, but till now not much information related to these has been found.

Risk Factors for Eyelid Swelling

There are some conditions that can increase the risk of eyelid swelling i.e. blepharitis, such as –

    • Oily skin – People who have oily skin may have an increased risk of swelling in their eyelids.
    • Dandruff – Dandruff can also be associated with the problem of swelling in the eyelids. Those who have dandruff problems are more prone to blepharitis.
    • Dermatitis – The problem of skin inflammation is called dermatitis in medical language. People who have dermatitis problem may also have the problem of swelling in the eyelids.
    • Dryness in eyes – If you have dryness in your eyes, then the risk of swelling in the eyelids may increase. Dryness in the eyes can increase the risk of not only blepharitis but many other eye-related problems.

Diagnosis of eyelid inflammation

During the diagnosis of blepharitis, the doctor first examines your eyes closely and during this the severity of the inflammation is estimated. The patient is also asked about other symptoms. Usually, the problem of crust formation around the eyes is diagnosed as blepharitis. However, to confirm the condition, some samples are taken from the eye with the help of a swab and sent to the lab for testing. With the help of this sample, doctors are able to detect infection and other problems, which gives information about what is causing the swelling of the eyelids.

Prevention of swelling of eyelids

Swelling of eyelids can be prevented by keeping some special things in mind, such as –

    • keep your eyelashes clean
    • Remove all makeup from the face and eyes before sleeping.
    • Do not use eyeliner on the back of the eyelids (behind the hairs)
    • If your eyelids are already swollen, do not use any eye makeup products until they have completely healed.
    • Do not use old makeup after the swelling has healed, as it may be contaminated.
    • Avoid contact with dust and dirt as much as possible
    • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes

treatment of swelling of eyelids

According to Dr. Shroff, in very few cases the swelling of the eyelids goes away completely. Even after successful treatment, it is common for it to recur. However, available treatments for blepharitis include –

    • Eyelid hygiene – To treat eyelid inflammation, it is very important to keep the eyelids clean. Your doctor may give you baby shampoo or a special eyelid cleanser product to clean your eyelids. You can also be explained the correct way to wash eyelashes.
    • Medicines – If the doctor determines that the swelling of the eyelids is due to a bacterial infection, some antibiotics may be given as treatment. These medicines can be given in the form of oral tablets or injections.
    • Eye drops – If the eyelids are swollen due to conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea, lubricating eye drops and artificial tears can be used to treat the condition.

Complications of eyelid inflammation

Blepharitis or swelling of the eyelids can cause the following problems –

    • eyelash hair loss
    • excessive watering of eyes
    • eye infection
    • permanent scar on eyelid
    • swelling of the cornea

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