eyelids

Hi Doctor,

I went to my optometrist today to discuss my eyes and eyelids. He said that i had inflamed ducts under my eyelids. He told me to use salt and water and rinse in an eye bath.

But on returning home my eyes seemed to swell up more. It's not the eyelids that i'm entirely concerned with, it the areas under my eyebrow and and above my eyelids that worry me. The skin seems to be stretched and loose and yellow in colour. Does this sound like any symptoms you know of. Can you please check out the pictures I have uploaded of close ups of both eyes. Here are the links;

http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/153991?personal_page_id=947254

http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/153992?personal_page_id=947254

Would this inflammation over the eye area be due to an eye condition or is it a specific skin condition. I have asked to be referred to a dermatologist but my doctors won't. They say it's normal but I know that my eyes were not like this before and something strange is going on.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms the possibility of meibomitis needs to be ruled out. It is due to the inflammation of meibomian glands which are sebaceous glands lining the eyelids. Oil production by the glands decreases and the oils that are produced become thicker. Treatment usually consists of both topical and oral antibiotics (usually tetracycline, doxycycline or erythromycin) to help break down the thickened lipid secretions.

You can also apply warm compresses to give relied and open up the clogged pores. If the symptoms persist then please consult an ophthalmologist.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[traveller722]

Hello Dr Kaur,

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I went to my local GP to get a referral to either an opthamologist or dermatologist. The local GP examined me and suggested that my condition is blepharitis. He prescribed some eye drops called Chlorsig containing Chloramphenicol.

Is this blepharitis condition something totally different to what you thought it may be? If the drops don't help my condition should I suggest the meibomitis condition you have mentioned?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Blepharitis is a condition in which the eyelids are inflamed and become scaly and flaky. I would suggest you to consult a dermatologist/ eye specialist and get the diagnosis confirmed after examination and if need arises a biopsy skin. Meiboimitis is by meibomian gland dysfunction. Both are different.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.