Eyelid and Tear Gland Disorders

Factsheet

our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on to our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on www.eyecaretrust.org.uk The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to promote charity that exists to promote is a registered Trust The Eyecare information call of all aspects of eye health. For more awareness Eyelid and Tear Gland Disorders Gland and Tear Eyelid Children are given general anesthesia for this procedure, but adults need Children are given general anesthesia for this procedure, but extensive only local anesthesia. If the duct is completely blocked, more doesn't clear up, an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otorhinolaryngologist) or doesn't clear up, an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otorhinolaryngologist) with a small an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) may have to open the duct of the eyelid. probe, usually inserted through the duct opening at the corner Regardless of the cause of the blockage, if inflammation of the conjunctiva Regardless of the cause of the blockage, if inflammation of If the blockage (conjunctivitis) develops, antibiotic eyedrops may be needed. system develops. Sometimes the blockage resolves faster when parents are system develops. Sometimes the blockage resolves faster it with a fingertip. taught to milk the duct by gently massaging the area above from both eyes in 3- to 12-week-old infants. This type of blockage usually from both eyes in 3- to 12-week-old infants. This type of blockage nasolacrimal disappears without treatment by the age of 6 months, as the Blockage caused by an immature nasolacrimal system usually results in an Blockage caused by an immature nasolacrimal system usually one eye or, rarely, overflow of tears that runs down the cheek (epiphora) from infection, severe or recurring eye infections, or fractures of the nasal or facial infection, severe or recurring or complete. bones. Blockage can be partial Nasolacrimal Duct Blockage duct (dacryostenosis) can result from Blockage of the nasolacrimal nasolacrimal system at birth, a chronic nasal inadequate development of the don't close properly. painfully dry and can be damaged. A rare cause of inadequate tear painfully dry and can be damaged. The eyes can also become dry when production is Sjogren's syndrome. loss of tears, for example, if the eyelids evaporation causes an excessive If the lacrimal glands don't produce enough tears, the eyes can become If the lacrimal glands don't produce outer corner of the eye. The fluid flows over the eye and exits through two outer corner of the eye. The fluid (lacrimal ducts); these openings lead to the small openings in the eyelids that empties into the nose. nasolacrimal duct, a channel it moist. This fluid also contains antibodies that help protect the eye from also contains antibodies that it moist. This fluid by the lacrimal (tear) glands, located near the infection. Tears are produced eyelashes being exposed to wind or small particles such as dust or sand. exposed to wind or small particles eyelashes being the surface of the eye to keep fluid that continuously bathes Tears are a salty object comes too close to the eye. The reflex is triggered by the sight of an close to the eye. The reflex object comes too the surface of the eye, or the the touch of an object on approaching object, (tears) over the surface of the eyes when they close (for example, while surface of the eyes when they (tears) over the becoming dry. The eyelids they help prevent the eyes from blinking); thus, closing reflexively when an mechanical barrier against injury, also provide a The eyelids play a key role in protecting the eyes. They help spread moisture help spread the eyes. They role in protecting play a key The eyelids

Factsheet

our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on to our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on www.eyecaretrust.org.uk The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to promote charity that exists to promote is a registered Trust The Eyecare information call of all aspects of eye health. For more awareness Eyelid and Tear Gland Disorders Gland and Tear Eyelid Conditions that may occur with eyelid inflammation include staphylococcal Conditions that may occur with eyelid inflammation include the edges of the infection on the eyelids and in the oil (sebaceous) glands at Eyelid Inflammation thickening; Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) causes redness and as well. scales and crusts or shallow ulcers often form on the eyelids, an insect stinger is lodged in the eyelid, it must be removed. Removing the cause of swelling and applying cold compresses may relieve Removing the cause of swelling and applying cold compresses can alleviate the the swelling. If an allergy is the cause, avoiding the allergen object such as swelling; a doctor may also prescribe drug therapy. If a foreign swell. medications instilled into the eyes, such as eyedrops; other drugs or medications instilled into the eyes, such as eyedrops; other or bites as well cosmetics; or pollen or other particles in the air. Insect stings the eyelids to as infections from bacteria, viruses, or fungi can also cause swelling (lid edema). The most common irritant is an allergy, which can make swelling (lid edema). The most Allergic reactions may be caused by one or both lids crinkled and swollen. Eyelid Swelling can also irritate the eyelids and cause Anything that irritates the eyes nasolacrimal duct may be opened with a probe or by surgery. In rare nasolacrimal duct may be opened the entire lacrimal sac may be necessary. instances, surgical removal of The infection is treated with oral or intravenous antibiotics. Applying frequent The infection is treated with oral also helps. If an abscess develops, surgery is warm compresses to the area it. For chronic infections, the blocked performed to open and drain rupture through the skin, creating a passage for drainage. rupture through the skin, creating Sometimes, an infection causes fluid to be retained in the lacrimal sac, and a Sometimes, an infection causes forms under the skin. Recurring infections large fluid-filled sac (mucocele) area over the sac. An abscess may form and may produce a thickened, red If a mild or recurring infection continues for a long time, most of the infection continues for a If a mild or recurring only slight swelling of the area remaining. symptoms may disappear, with Slight pressure applied to the sac may push pus through the opening at the applied to the sac may push Slight pressure also has a fever. the eye, near the nose. The person inner corner of of the nasolacrimal duct. The infection makes the area around the sac duct. The infection makes of the nasolacrimal red and watery and oozes pus. swollen. The eye becomes painful, red, and Lacrimal Sac Infection Lacrimal Sac results from a blockage of the lacrimal sac (dacryocystitis) Usually, infection surgery may be needed. surgery

Factsheet

our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on to our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on www.eyecaretrust.org.uk The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to promote charity that exists to promote is a registered Trust The Eyecare information call of all aspects of eye health. For more awareness Eyelid and Tear Gland Disorders Gland and Tear Eyelid hordeolum, the pain and other symptoms are usually more severe. Pain, hordeolum, the pain and other symptoms are usually more usually at the redness, and swelling tend to occur in just a very small area, treatment is to apply hot compresses for 10 minutes several times a day. The treatment is to apply hot compresses for 10 minutes several When a stye forms warmth helps the stye come to a head, rupture, and drain. an internal in one of the deeper glands of the eyelid, a condition called Although antibiotics are used, they don't seem to help much. The best Although antibiotics are used, they don't seem to help much. become sensitive to bright light, and feel as though something is in it. become sensitive to bright light, and feel as though something the entire lid Usually, only a small area of the lid is swollen, but sometimes the swollen area. swells. Often a tiny, yellowish spot develops at the center of A stye usually begins with redness, tenderness, and pain at the edge of the A stye usually begins with redness, tenderness, and pain at eye may water, eyelid. Then a small, round, tender, swollen area forms. The person may have one or two styes in a lifetime, but some people develop person may have one or two styes in a lifetime, but some people them repeatedly. An abscess forms and tends to rupture, releasing a small amount of pus. An abscess forms and tends with or as a result of blepharitis. A Styes sometimes form simultaneously A stye (hordeolum) is an infection, usually a staphylococcal infection, of one A stye (hordeolum) is an infection, of the eyelid or under it. or more of the glands at the edge Stye ointment, such as erythromycin or sulfacetamide, or an oral antibiotic, such ointment, such as erythromycin skin is also affected with seborrheic as tetracycline. When the person's must be treated as well. dermatitis, the face and scalp Usually, treatment consists of keeping the eyelids clean, perhaps by washing Usually, treatment consists of a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic them with baby shampoo. Occasionally, loss of the eyelashes, scarring of the lid margins, and even damage to the loss of the eyelashes, scarring cornea. Blepharitis tends to recur and stubbornly resist treatment. It's inconvenient to recur and stubbornly resist Blepharitis tends destructive. Occasionally, it can result in a and unattractive but usually not when the crust is removed, it may leave a bleeding surface. During sleep, is removed, it may leave a bleeding when the crust make the lids sticky. dried secretions the lashes may fall out. The eyes may become red, teary, and sensitive to fall out. The eyes may become the lashes may to the edges of the lid; may form and stick tenaciously bright light. A crust Blepharitis may produce the feeling that something is in the eye. The eyes produce the feeling that something Blepharitis may of eyelid may swell and some burn, and become red. The and lids may itch, lids, seborrheic dermatitis of the face and scalp, and rosacea. and scalp, and of the face dermatitis lids, seborrheic

Factsheet

our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on to our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on www.eyecaretrust.org.uk The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to promote charity that exists to promote is a registered Trust The Eyecare information call of all aspects of eye health. For more awareness Eyelid and Tear Gland Disorders Gland and Tear Eyelid people), a doctor will check the person's cholesterol level. yellow-white, flat growth that consists of fatty material. Xanthelasmas needn't yellow-white, flat growth that consists of fatty material. Xanthelasmas Because be removed unless their appearance becomes bothersome. in young xanthelasmas may indicate elevated cholesterol levels (especially Noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) growths can form on the Noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) growths xanthelasma, a eyelids. One of the most common types of benign tumor is necessary. Eyelid Tumors had an eyelid injury that caused scar formation. Both conditions can irritate had an eyelid injury that caused scar formation. Both conditions by surgery, if the eyes, causing tearing and redness. Both can be treated two eyelids can't meet properly, and tears aren't spread over the eyeball. two eyelids can't meet properly, and tears aren't spread over those who have These conditions are more common in older people and in (entropion), the lashes rub against the eye, which can lead to ulceration and (entropion), the lashes rub against of one eyelid turns outward (ectropion), the scarring of the cornea. If the edge Normally, the upper and lower eyelids close tightly, protecting the eye from Normally, the upper and lower If the edge of one eyelid turns in damage and preventing tear evaporation. Ectropion is a condition in which the eyelid is turned outward and doesn't Ectropion is a condition in which come in contact with the eyeball. Entropion and Ectropion the eyelid is turned in against the eyeball. Entropion is a condition in which they remain after 6 weeks, a doctor can drain them or simply inject a they remain after 6 weeks, a doctor corticosteroid. Most chalazions disappear without treatment after a few months. If hot Most chalazions disappear without times a day, they may disappear sooner. If compresses are applied several round, painless swelling in the eyelid that grows slowly for the first week. A slowly for the first week. swelling in the eyelid that grows round, painless underneath the eyelid. red or gray area may develop At first, a chalazion looks and feels like a stye: swollen eyelid, pain, and looks and feels like a stye: At first, a chalazion disappear, leaving a after a few days the symptoms irritation. However, A chalazion is an enlargement of a long, thin oil gland in the eyelid that an enlargement of a long, thin A chalazion is at the edge of the eyelid. obstruction of the gland opening results from an may have to open it to drain the pus. Internal styes tend to recur. it to drain the pus. Internal may have to open Chalazion edge of the eyelid. Because this type of stye rarely ruptures by itself, a doctor ruptures by itself, of stye rarely this type the eyelid. Because edge of

Factsheet