water sac around eye

Two years ago, my opthamologist started me on Restasis for dry eye.  I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism a little more than a year ago and have been on 50 MCGs of synthroid once a day.  The Restasis helped a lot, but because my eyes were still getting red sometimes, I started using OTC eyedrops as well, with my Opthamologist's knowledge and blessing. My eyes were still getting red and irritated and so he gave me a prescription for Lotemax, to be used twice a day.  That helped for a while, but my eyes were still getting irritated.  Then, almost a year ago, my right eye started drooping.  It was sudden; one morning, I woke up and it was "droopy".  
I have a few medical issues that may be complicating factors.    My left parotid gland just in front of my ear started swelling, and an ENT put me on one antibiotic after another until I said I didn't think we were addressing the underlying issue.  The ENT's partner wanted to remove my parotid glands and my lymph nodes on my left side.  I didn't have that surgery, and have been on "rounds" of prednisone for the last year.  Whenever the glands swell, I'm on 60 mg for 3 days, 40 for 3 days 20 for 3 days and 10 for 3 days.  The glands and the droopy eye have been "remedied" by this treatment until this past round (which I just finished).  My eye didn't stop drooping, and my parotid gland swelling didn't completely resolve.
Here's the "sac of water" around my eye issue:  About a year ago, it felt as though my right eye was tearing in the outside corner, but there was no tear when I wiped it.  I looked closely and it appeared as though there was a "water blister" in the corner of my eye.  It has grown so that now it has reached the middle of my lower eye.  It would seem as though the drooping of my upper lid may also be a consequence of this.  My Opthamologist at a loss and kind of waiting for the ENT to get to the bottom of what is making my glands swell.  In the meanwhile, my eye is at "half-mast", and I have had blood vessels breaking in both eyes (making them blood red) the last two weeks.  
I have an appointment with an immunologist, but that is not until June.   was examined thoroughly at a cancer institute, and they said they could find nothing.
I have a field of vision test scheduled for April.  I'm concerned for my vision and my health in general.  Any ideas about the "water blilster"? (Oh, the ENT put me on Plaquinal for about 8 months, but since there didn't seem to be any benefit, I no longer take it - as of about 1 month ago)
Thanks for any input.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

This "water blister" is probably related to thyroid disease.


Dr. O.

[TriciaT1954]

It sounds like what you describe as pingueculae. I've had a similar problem with what seems like a goopy lumpy sack in my eye(s) that will extrude when pressure is applied to the lower lid.

We’ll all develop pingueculae as we mature.  The drier our eyes are, the more prominent and noticeable they become.  So my recommendation is:
-   Every morning and night, apply a hot compress to your closed eyes for 10 minutes each.  Make the compress as hot as possible, but be careful not to scald the skin around your eyes.  Keep the sustained heat on your closed eyes for a full 10 minutes. This will help clear out the tear glands in the upper and lower eyelids and promote the generation of a better tear.
-   At least 4 times per day, everyday, apply one drop of “over the counter” artificial tear drops to each eye: breakfast, lunch, dinner, before bed.  These will supplement your normal tears.
-  Add a daily omega 3 fatty acid vitamin supplement to your diet. This will help improve tear generation.

Hopefully you’ll notice some improvement within 2 weeks.  But this is a chronic condition.  The pingueculae never completely disappear, and will always become more noticeable when your eyes are dry.  If you notice any change in vision, or increase in pain, see an eye doctor there.