Eyelid Disorders

Eyelid Disorders - lower eylid

lower eylid : An eyelid disorder is any abnormal condition that affects the eyelids.
Eyelids consist of thin folds of skin, muscle, and connective tissue. The eyelids
protect the eyes and spread tears over the front of the eyes. The inside of the eyelids
are lined with the conjunctiva of the eyelid (the palpebral conjunctiva), and the
outside of the lids are covered with the body's thinnest skin. Some common lid
problems include the following: stye, blepharitis, chalazion, entropion, ectropion,
eyelid edema, and eyelid tumors. 

1. Stye -- lower eyelid --

Stye

A stye is an infection of one of the three types of eyelid glands near the lid margins, at the base of the lashes. 

Causes and symptoms

Styes are usually caused by bacterial staphylococcal infections. The symptoms are pain and inflammation in one or more localized regions near the eyelid margin.

Treatment

Styes are treated with warm-hot compresses for 10-15 minutes, three to four times a day. Sometimes topical antibiotics may be prescribed. If the initial treatment is ineffective, styes are lanced and drained. 

1.  Chalazion - lower eyelid -

A chalazion is an enlargement of a meibomian gland (an oil-producing gland in the eyelid), usually not associated
with an infectious agent. More likely, the gland opening is
clogged. Initially, a chalazion may resemble a stye, but it
usually grows larger. A chalazion may also be located in
the middle of the lid and be internal.  

Causes and symptoms

A chalazion is caused by a blockage in the outflow duct of a meibomian gland.
Symptoms are inflammation and swelling in the form of a round lump in the lid that may be painful.

Treatment - 

About 25% of chalazia will disappear spontaneously, but hot compresses may speed
the process. Because chalazia are inside the lid, topical medications are generally of
no benefit. Medication may need to be injected by the doctor into the chalazion or if
that doesn't help the chalazion may need to be excised. If what appears to be a
chalazion recurs on the same site as any previous one, the possibility of sebaceous
gland carcinoma should be investigated by biopsy.

1. Blepharitis -- Lower Eyelid --

Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelid margins, often with scales and crust. It can lead to eyelash loss, chalazia, styes, ectropion, corneal damage, excessive tearing, and chronic conjunctivitis. 

Causes and symptoms

Some cases of blepharitis are caused by bacterial infection and some by head lice, but in some cases, the cause is unclear. It may also be caused by an overproduction of oil by the meibomian glands. Blepharitis can be a chronic condition that begins in early childhood and can last throughout life. Symptoms can include itching, burning, a feeling that something is in the eye, inflammation, and  scales or matted, hard crusts surrounding the eyelashes. 

Treatment

Blepharitis is treated with hot compresses, with antibiotic
ointment, and by cleaning the eyelids with a moist washcloth  and then with baby shampoo or boiled water and baking soda  mix.
Good hygiene is essential. If the blepharitis doesn't clear  up with treatment or if it seems to be a chronic problem, the  patient may have acne rosacea. These patients may need to  see a dermatologist as well.