Swelling below brow and eye crease, is this blepharitis?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi everyone, I'd like to begin by explaining my blepharitis symptoms and other symptoms which don't seem to fit the box. My symptoms began 3 weeks ago and has been fluctuating since. At the start both eyelids up to brow were red and swollen, both upper and lower lids (picture attached). They were red but not painful. I did not have crusting around my lashes, however I had itchiness on lashes and a strip of dry skin around my eye margin which suggests blocked oil glands and typical of blepharitis. My GP said it looked like blepharitis according to the symptoms I described- this was online consultation based on pictures. I've been doing eye masks twice a day, using wet ones and blephagel which has helped. However, the confusing thing is once my initial swelling 3 weeks ago calmed down, every morning my brow area and eye crease, especially my right eye (left on the picture) is swollen and droops down. It is not red, no swelling on eye margin at all, I do get itchy lashes though. With my current eyelid routine, especially doing eye mask twice a day it calms down eventually. But I just need to know what is causing this?? Is this blepharitis or something else because Blepharitis is meant to be swelling of eyelid margin? Has anyone else experienced this? Please help. Thank you in advance
0 likes, 8 replies
Marina_Dee hana22
Edited
If you talk to a group of dry eye/ blepharitis sufferers you will find a whole host of different symptoms. So dont rule this out. Doctors do seem to diagnose everything like this as Blepharitis but then they are stumped and its up to the sufferer to find what helps.
For a start...do you use make up, especially eye make up? If yes, have you started any new make up?...possible allergy? Go without any eye make up and see if it helps.
Are you looking at screens a lot? This can gradually cause symptoms like yours and you need to limit your screen time to an hour at a time and then walk away and blink rapidly for as long as possible. No screen time after eg 8pm before you go to bed. No screening in the dark.
Try using some Hypromellose eye drops...also called artificial tears, as much as you like during the day and especially before you go to bed.
Cut down the eye masks to once per day. Many sufferers use coconut oil on their lids at night as they can dry out. Try to be kind to your eyes.
These symptoms are becoming more common all over the world as the population everywhere uses screens more and more. I will send you a private message
hana22 Marina_Dee
Edited
Hi, thank you for your reply. I rarely wear eye makeup and was not wearing it when my symptoms began.
I am definitely on the screen a lot, although I changed the light settings on both my phone and laptop to reduce the blue light. I will definitely take your advice on trying to reduce my screen time.
Funny thing is I tried to cut down eye mask to once a day and the swelling on my eye crease returned so this does not work for me. When I use eye mask twice a day, Morning and evening before going to sleep it seems like the only thing to keep majority of the swelling at bay or I wake up with my eye crease up to brow swollen.
My eye lids have been drying out as I do my eye routine twice a day. Creams seem to inflame my eye lids the next morning and Boots eye gel seems to be the only thing I'm able to apply but it is not hydrating so I will look into buying coconut oil.
I will look into the eye drops too. I use the Blink ones not sure if they are Hypromellose and I use Optase dry eye spray.
Thanks again.
Abrana Marina_Dee
Edited
Hello, if I may intrude in this thread, I noticed since 3 or 4 days ago on awakening in the morning my upper eyelids are extremely swollen covering over three quarters of my eyes. No other symptoms, no pain, no itching, nothing. As hours go down it gradually clears. And as hana22 asked, I too wonder why is this? However, could it be just a result of my being a very old senior? Thanks for any thoughts. 😃
Marina_Dee Abrana
Posted
hallo Abranaif this has just started happening and it clears during the day without any other symptoms, then it is probably just fluid retention and you could try cold compresses. i note you say you are a "very old" senior so if this gets worse or you find fluid building up elsewhere on your body do see your doctor..you may need your thyroid function tested.
Marina_Dee hana22
Edited
Hana, just keep trying the eye drops and medications until you find the right routine for yourself. Its amazing how many different types of treatment there are and its really personal choice. I think the Optase contains Buckwheat oil which you can also take orally in capsules and this works wonders for some. I am afraid it made me feel very sleepy so had to stop it.
hana22 Marina_Dee
Posted
Thank you so much for your response, what works is definitely personal. When I returned to my GP through online consultation regarding the residual swelling left he did not take it seriously and just said there's been an improvement but no mention of helping me beyond that or helping me understand what the cause is. I will book an appointment with my optician and hopefully get a clearer answer. I will include any information/update on this thread as well as it may be helpful.
joshuapryce1987 hana22
Edited
It can be caused by sleep or blunt trauma on the eye. Over time it should return back to normal, usually there is no treatment needed, but always speak to your optician for reassurance and help.
hana22 joshuapryce1987
Posted
Thank you for your response. Going to my optician is definitely the next route.