Reoccuring unilateral eyelid swelling

[ejdro]

Since springtime I've had a problem with my upper left eyelid swelling up. I've seen doctors twice for it and neither time could they give me a definitive answer what was causing it. Maybe an allergy, maybe a stye. An opthalmologist thought it might be a stye, but on the day of my appointment the swelling wasn't very evident.

One doctor prescribed a cortisone ointment with the caveat that it is best not to use it very much as it will eventually deteriorate the skin of the eyelid. No thanks! I don't use that cream. I would rather determine the cause of the problem and have it solved than rely on ointments and drugs.

I've taken to writing down each episode, and what I did the day before, activities, food I ate, etc., in an effort to figure out the problem.

This past weekend I woke up with my eyelid very swollen and the skin red and irritated. It seemed to be connected with me sleeping on my face? That's the only thing I could figure. I've also read online that seborrhic dermatitis has similar chronic symptoms and can be cured with coal tar shampoo.

This most recent bout I also noticed some very small yellow blisters on the far side of my eyelid. Is this a staph infection? It comes and goes-- sometimes completely gone, but comes back regularly-- sometimes seems aggravated after a hot sweaty day, or excercise. I started a running regime in springtime, and wonder if this isn't the cause of my problem- sweat feeding some kind of infection on the skin of my eyelid.

It is ONLY on my left upper eyelid. An opthalmologist checked my sight and said my eye looked just fine, and my eyesight is in good shape.

Any advice?

[Shasshaa]

This is odd. Have a swelling on my left eyelid as well. And it is during my period too. I wonder what causing it. Could be a hormonal imbalance? Can someone let me know if they find out? Thank you!

[JohnHaganMD]

You will need to see an Eye MD ophthalmologist to examine your eyes. A precise cause cannot be determined from your posting.

[bellmichelle]

Did you ever find a cause. This is the second time that my left eye has swelled up overnight. Hoping it goes away within a day or two like last time. Symptoms sound the same. It is my left eye...Is it your left eye as well? Just out of curiosity. What I found interesting is that you said it happens when you have your period. I do have mine this time, but I can't remember if I did when it happened before. Most of all I wanted to see if you or the other poster ever found a cause???

[bellmichelle]

Did you ever find a cause. This is the second time that my left eye has swelled up overnight. Hoping it goes away within a day or two like last time. Symptoms sound the same. It is my left eye...Is it your left eye as well? Just out of curiosity. What I found interesting is that you said it happens when you have your period. I do have mine this time, but I can't remember if I did when it happened before. Most of all I wanted to see if you or the other poster ever found a cause???

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Nvacupuncture]

I seem to have the same issue, only I've linked mine to my period. It's always my left eye, no pain or itch, sight is fine, my eyelid just blows up for a day or two. Sometimes it is also the lower lid.  The last 4-5 times have all happened during my period like clockwork. Caffeinated green tea bag compresses do seem to help a little, and acupuncture seems to shorten the duration quite a bit, sometimes resolving it within an hour or 2 (but I am a licensed acupuncturist, so I have that readily available). Just FYI, acupressure just to the outside the eye socket in the depression of the temple (it'll probably be tender to press on - the point is called tai yang), using small circular motions with your finger seems to help move the fluids a bit too, but it's not a quick fix. That being said, it certainly interferes with life. I usually end up having to reschedule my appointments for the day until I can get it resolved - who wants a diseased-looking practitioner?  It looks very bad for as little as it hurts.  I also have ocular rosacea, so my eyes are generally dry.  I can't seem to find much info online regarding this weird symptom.  I'd be grateful for some western medical thoughts.  I'm guessing it's somewhat hormonal given the timing, but am baffled as to why it only affects the one eye then.  

[Bakir_iraq]

May be dural arteriovenous fistula

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Do what you need to do.

JCH MD

[ejdro]

Thanks again Doctor for all of your comments.

I've looked up both Blepharitis and Chalazion and neither really fit what my problem is. I have no flaking or greasiness around the lashes, nor is there any pustule or bump anywhere.

The skin of the lid and the area above the eye get very red, but I have no pain, and minimal itchiness, until the red fades away--often times leaving dead skin which then does itch. I can go for long periods of time with no problem--then all of a sudden, whammo! The most recent incident was when I slept facedown on a hotel bed that had been washed with very strongly scented detergent/softener.

I seldom use eyeliner on my upper lids anymore, and the eyeliner I do have is hypo allergenic, but previous to this issue it wasn't. Could I have some sort of contact dermatitis or allergy? Isn't it odd to only be affecting one eye? (always on the left eye, never the right).

Thanks. I live in a rural area in Arizona and the medical care I've been given for this is really sub-par. None of the doctors have shown much alarm about it, and the opthalmologist's only perscription was "warm compresses".
I guess I need to go to a big city to get better care.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You know the most common cause of your problem would be blepharatis/chalazion.  You can use the search feature to read about them and Google IMAGES to see what they look like

JCH MD

[ejdro]

Thanks for the link, Doctor. I went to it and checked, and the doctor I saw  for my problem it on it as a "Glaucoma / Cataract/IOL" specialist.

It is hard for me to get a good diagnosis on this problem, as I said, because when I had my appointment it didn't look so bad. It comes and goes.

Do you have any suggestions for me? I am 36 years old, in overall good health, with a good diet, maybe about 20 pounds overweight, but working on losing pounds. I run about 12-15 miles a week, and work indoors, out of the sun. No history of diabetes in my family, but there are skin issues (roseacea, acne, food allergies, etc.) in my family lineage.
.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes, get a second opinion from a Eye MD ophthalmologist specializing in corneal and external disease. Find one near you at www.aao.org

JCH MD