A Simple Guide to Stye and Related Eyelid Diseases. A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions, #20

The eyelids protect the eye, but they also can be prone to problems. Because the eyelids protect the eye they are in the first line of defense of the eye1. Bacterial and viral infectionsEyelids can breed bacterial and viral activity particularly where there is sweat, rubbing or poor hygiene. Examples of this are stye and chalazion eyelid infections. Patients with acne rosacea are also more likely to get eyelid infections.2.
Eyelid Hair InfectionsBlepharitis is an eyelid hair infection where the eye lashes become infected from exposure to dirt, dust, and germs3. Eyelid allergiesChemicals used in eye cosmetics have a tendency to cause eyelid allergy. In addition medicines and food allergies can often cause swelling of the eyelids particularly the upper eyelids. What are the best ways to prevent Eyelid infections?1. Clean hands and good hygiene are necessary to prevent dirty hands from touching the eye.2.
Regular cleansing of the eyes with a clean warm cloth is important.3. Sunglasses and hats to protect the eyes and eyelid skin from the harsh sun. Eyelids which are droopy may be due to nerve disorder. Eye lids with eye lashes which turn inwards also known as a disease called entropion can cause pain in the eye due to the sharp points of the eye lashes touching the conjunctiva. The opposite is ectropion which is the turning out of the eyelid usually the lower eyelid so that the inner surface is exposed.
Some bumps and lesions that are growing in size, are pigmented or cause loss of lashes should be examined by an eye specialist to rule out a malignant lesionTABLE OF CONTENTChapter 1 Eyelid DiseasesChapter 2 StyeChapter 3 ChalazionChapter 4 BlepharitisChapter 5 Droopy EyelidsChapter 6 EntropionChapter 7 EctropionChapter 8 Epilogue