periorbital edema or swelling around the eye?

[lilmissposey8088]

Is it possible to have periorbital edema in just one eye? And if so what on earth would be a cause of it? I have had swelling around my left eye three times in the last three weeks. I went to my reg doc and he though maybe a clogged tear duct leaking into the subcutanious skin and sent me to the optimologist. He said no clogged tear duct but maybe an alergic reaction. Told me to put 0.5% cortisol cream on it very thinly. This didn't really help. That was the first time it happened and I haven't been back since then. It always happens in my left eye and I have no injury preceeding it, no redness, not itching, no watery eyes, no pain at all. It just swells up like fluid is accumulating there. This last time when it started two days ago, It was just my upper lid and it was only a little swollen until I went to sleep that night and woke up and could hardly open my eye it was so swollen all the way around. It lasts about 3 or 4 days then goes away. Does anyone have any ideas? I will appreshiate any help I could get. I would also like to mention that I have a form of Autonomic dysfunction called Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and I take Florinef 0.1mg's daily. However there is no edema around dependent limbs so fluid retention is not likely the issue.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

You need to find an EyeMD who can diagnosis the problem.  As you doctor for a referral oculoplastic / orbital surgeon.

Dr. O.

[lilmissposey8088]

Thank you for the advice and i will contact my optmologist for a referral but I'm really wanting to know if you have any ideas on what could be causing this and now I'm wondering if I should still make the apt when I may not have symptoms at the time as this comes and goes.

[yarrow]

About the fact that this comes and goes, could you have someone take a bunch of photos of the swollen eye, both closeup and normal, to take to show the specialist?