SWOLLEN EYELIDS
SYMPTOM GUIDE
If you experience swollen eyelids, you might notice that your eyelids appear inflamed or puffier than usual. Depending on the cause, swollen eyelids can be painless or tender. It’s important to contact an eye care professional if you notice that one or both of your eyelids are swollen.
It’s worth noting that swollen and puffy eyelids are different, with puffy eyelids typically being a temporary symptom from factors like lack of sleep, crying or fluid retention. Swollen eyelids can be a sign of an underlying condition that may require medical attention. You can find out more about puffy eyes here.
Common causes of swollen eyelids
There are a number of causes of swollen eyelids, such as infections, inflammation and allergies. Some of the examples of causes of swollen eyelids include the following:
BLEPHARITIS
A build-up of oil or debris on the eyelashes, or eyelid glands, may lead to a blockage and trigger inflammation of the eyelids, causing blepharitis. This can cause swelling around the eyelid.
STYE
A stye is a type of infection that can affect the eyelid and cause the area to swell. Styes typically form on the outer edge of the eyelid, but sometimes they can appear inside or under the eyelid.
CONJUNCTIVITIS
Conjunctivitis is an infection of the outer layer of the eye, and can affect both eyes. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can cause swollen eyelids alongside other symptoms such as discharge and itchiness.
OTHER RELATED CAUSES OF SWOLLEN EYELIDS
In some cases, swollen eyelids can be due to allergies or an injury. Here are some of the other possible causes of swollen eyelids.
What to do if you have swollen eyelids
If you are experiencing swollen eyelids, it’s important to visit an eye care professional to find the cause. A check-up of your eye health can help identify the reason for the swelling. It’s particularly important to see an eye care professional if your swollen eyelid is accompanied by pain or a change in your vision.
In some cases, a warm eye mask such as Blepha EyeBag can help to soothe swollen or inflamed eyelids, if the cause of swollen eyes is due to blepharitis, stye, chalazion or MGD1.
Explore other eye symptoms
Find out more about other eye symptoms below, or visit the Eye Symptom Checker to find out more information.
RED EYESWATERY EYESSTICKY EYESBLURRED VISIONReferences:
1. Blepha EyeBag Patient Information Leaflet
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