Eyelid Skin Problems
If you are having a problem with your eyelids, such as an infection or a growth, this can create serious problems for the eyes themselves, according to Dr. Susan R. Carter of the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. An eyelid infection can result in pain and irritation to the eye, and can potentially lead to the loss of vision.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis, which is inflammation of the eyelid margin, is very common. When this occurs, your eyelids burn and itch, and it may feel as if there is a foreign body present. There will be crusting and tearing of the eyes when you wake in the morning. Blepharitis occurs when a person has ocular rosacea, a bacterial eyelid infection, seborrhea and meibomian gland dysfunction. If rosacea is the cause, you will see dilated blood vessels on the chin, nose, cheeks and lid margin.
Entropion
The condition entropion causes a stringy white mucous to be discharged from the eye. The eye will be irritated and red due to the eyelid margin turning inward. This usually occurs in the lower lid. The eyelashes then rub against the cornea and conjunctiva. Older people experience this frequently.
Chalazion
If a nodule has appeared within your eyelid, this may be a chalazion, which at first can be tender, then change to a lump that isn't tender. This often goes along with blepharitis. If your meibomian gland gets obstructed, this can cause the chalazion to develop. The eyelid margin then releases the contents of the meibomian gland into the eyelid's soft tissue. This can result in infection.
Stye
A stye, medically known as hordeolum, is a tender lump in the eyelid that may change into a chalazion. Styes generally pop up at the anterior of the lash line (behind it). When a stye is present, there is an infection of the meibomian gland. Other issues that can crop up include actinic keratosis, which is a flat, white, flaky and scaly lesion that will appear in areas that have had sun exposure. This is a pre-malignant condition and should be biopsied. A seborrheic keratoses is a hyper-keratotic lesion that is greasy and looks as though it is stuck on the skin of the eyelid. A nevus is flat or elevated, and can either have pigment or not. It is a congenital lesion that has malignancy potential.
Droopy Eyelids
When a person has too much eyelid skin and fat, this can result in dermatochalais. The eyelid can hang down over the eye, obscuring vision. This can be surgically repaired. Dermatochalais is generally a problem that afflicts older people.
Cancer
The most common eyelid malignancy is basal cell carcinoma. It generally shows up in the lower lid in the form of a firm, pearly nodule. If the malignancy is located along the lid margin, eyelashes may be missing. Basal cell carcinoma does not usually metastasize, but it tends to be locally invasive. By lifting up the eyelid surface, an eye doctor may be able to see that the malignancy has extended to the posterior eyelid.
Other Cancers
Squamous cell carcinoma isn't as common as basal cell carcinoma. This cancer is aggressive and result in ulcerated lesions that are raised and scaly, and appear on the upper lid. Another type of cancer is sebaceous carcinoma; it tends to strike middle-aged and elderly people. It, too, is aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body. It will look like blepharitis or a charlazion.
Tags: cell carcinoma, meibomian gland, eyelid margin, lesion that, basal cell
