Swollen Eyelid

Swollen eyelid is the enlargement of upper or lower eyelids of one or both the eyes. This condition may arise due to inflammation or fluid built up in sensitive tissues that surrounding the eye. This condition is also referred to as puffy eyes or eyelids.

There are several severe or mild conditions, diseases or disorders that may cause eyelid swelling. Swelling usually occurs due to infections. Other conditions include inflammation, malignancy and trauma etc. The swelling of eyelid may ebb away in some time depending on the cause of the issue. Such short term eye engorgement may be experienced due to allergic reaction caused to dust or animal dander. Swelling of eyes that develops gradually through the time and is accompanied by other symptoms may be a formidable sign of a severe condition such as Grave’s Disease (hyperthyroidism) or even infections.

Since any kind of swelling including swollen eyelid may be an alarming sign of severe physical abnormalities, it is essential that you should consult you health care professional and discuss your symptoms. If swelling of eye is associated with other symptoms such as lured vision, uncontrollable eye movement, eye bulging, anaphylactic shock symptoms (this may include swollen tongue, hives etc) etc it is essential to seek immediate medical attention. Incase of general swelling with no additional symptoms but is persistency. It is essential to take it seriously and consult you doctor.

Causes of swollen eye:

The condition of eyelid swelling may be due to various factors and may range from benign condition to severe physical abnormalities. Mild factors that may lead to eyelid welling may include obstructed oil gland (or chalazion) or infection etc. On the other hand, serious physical condition causing swelling to eyelid may include anaphylactic shock that may have signs such as swollen tongue etc. If such serious conditions are suspected it is essential to seek immediate medical advice.

Infectious causes of Swollen Eyelid:

• Bacterial conjunctivitis

• Viral conjunctivitis

• Infected eyelash follicles scientifically known as Blepharitis

• Eye skin infection known as Cellulitis

• Tear duct infection scientifically known as Dacryocystitis

• Herpes infection

• Mumps or epidemic parotitis

• Orbital cellulitis, infection of region surrounding the eye

• Sinusitis

• Eye stye also known as hordeolum which is infection of oil gland

Allergic causes of swollen eyelid:

Swollen eye due to allergic reaction are usually benign but it may also be serious in some cases when it is persistent. Here are some allergic factors causing eyelid swelling:

• Allergies due to insect bite for example bee sting allergy etc

• Allergic reaction due to animal dander which may have symptoms of hay fever

• Allergic reaction due to dust

• Cosmetic allergies

• Allergic response to pollen

• Allergic reaction to medicines like penicillin or codeine

• Substance sensitivity or substance allergy

Traumatic factors causing eyelid swelling:

It is obvious that swollen eyelid may also arise due to trauma or injury, such injuries may include:

• Mild thermal burns on the facial region especially around the eyes

• Mild Chemical burns

• Other eye injury

• Eye surgical treatment

• injury due to foreign object

Other causes of eyelid swelling:

Some of the other factors that may stimulate swollen eyelid may include as follows:

• Blood clot at the bottom of the brain also known as Cavernous sinus thrombus

• Chalazion obstructed oil gland

• Retention of fluid

• Genetic angioedema

• Graves’ disease or Hyperthyroidism

• Kidney related issues

• Failure of significant organs such as heart, kidney or liver etc

• Preeclampsia

Symptoms of swollen eyelid:

Since, the cause of swollen eyelid may be various the symptoms experienced with swelling of eyelid may vary according to the cause of the condition. For example swelling of eyelids due to allergic reaction may have symptoms such as sneezing, hay fever, itchiness etc. On the other hand eyelid swelling due to blocked oil gland may have no other symptoms.

A person may experience problem related to the eye itself or other signs and symptoms may be noticed on other parts of the body such as hindrance to immune system. Swollen eyelid when accompanied by additional symptoms such as intolerance to heat, tiredness, increased appetite etc may be a formidable sign of autoimmune disorder known as Graves’ disease. Swelling of eyelid due to conventional edema may also have other symptoms such as facial swelling and leg swelling. Swollen eyes due to infection may also cause redness, hay fever, irritation while moving eye and pain.

Other symptoms that may be experienced along with swollen eye may include:

• Eye bleeding

• Fluid or pus discharged from the eye

• Droopy eyes

• Dryness of eye

• Irritation or pain in the eye

• Senility to light

• Watery eyes or increased tear production

• Proptosis (engorgement of eye)

• Red eyes with irritation or itchiness

• Sore skin around the eye or protrusion sue to pus built up

• Blurred vision or hindered ocular abilities

• Lowered concentration

• Tiredness

• Fever

• Head pain

• Runny nasal

• Sneezing

• anxiety

There are also some serious symptoms of swollen eye which may include:

• Feeling of tight throat

• Significant edema

• High fever of up to 101 degree Fahrenheit along with reddened skin region

• Itchiness experienced in throat and mouth

• Intolerable headache

• Swelling of tongue

• Respiratory difficulties

Diagnosis and treatment for swollen eyelid:

Diagnosis of swollen eyelid is usually done under clinical setting by a certified doctor. Most doctors will be able to understand whether the condition is benign or serious just by looking at the swollen region. Your doctor may probe you on symptoms, irritation and the persistence of the disease. Based on the obtain information, he may suggested other tests and examinations. Based on the result obtained through tests and examinations you doctor will be able to determine the factor causing swelling of eye. The treatment for the swollen eye will greatly depend on the cause of the disease; hence it is essential to seek doctor’s assistance.