Please help me with my question -

[Darla126]

Hello - I have a swollen upper eyelid (for over one month now). My optometrist and medical dr. have advised this is some sort of allergy (I am allergic to mold, pollen and trees). I have been given allergy meds and steroid drops but with no success. Eye is less swollen in morning (looks normal) and then gets worse as I go through the day. Can an allergy cause only one eye to swell for this length of time? I also visited an opthalmologist who indicated that I have 20/20 vision and no issues behind my eye but that my face is assymetrical (which he said may be normal for me as it is for most) but that my swollen eye appears slightly set back from the other eye (I never noticed this nor has anyone else who knows me). My medical doctor says this isn't so. Would this type of issue cause a swollen eyelid? I don't have any pain, eye discharge (other than watery eye that is cleared when blinking and some crusty stuff on my eye in the morning). Just concerned that I have this ailment for so long. Thanks

[Darla126]

Thank you for your response - I greatly appreciate it. I have concerns about enopthalmos since my doctor indicated this slight eye retraction issue. Would this condition cause an intermittent eyelid swelling in the eye? I've read about Silent Sinus Syndrome - is this a common disease? Could an allergy cause one eyelid to swell? Thanks for your guidance! Sincerely!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I hear you.  I wish I could explain what is going on and I'm certainly a little puzzled and concerned. Perhaps you always sleep on that side, or get too much salt in your diet, too much fluid retention, maybe rubbing that side a lot, maybe always a little asymmetric, perhaps maybe even cosmetic lid surgery needed depending on your age.  Maybe there is a diffuse chalazion that will get better with time.  Maybe some trial and error treatments should be tried like warm or cool compresses and oral allergy medicines.  Just some ideas.  

MJK MD