A review about Pain in eyelid

The eyelids are organs that protect the eye from external irritants (dust, wind). On each edge of the eyelid are elastic hairs called eyelashes. The eyelids are also equipped with muscles that set them in motion. The lower eyelid is lowered by stretching the orbicularis muscle. Near the inner corner of the eye, the conjunctiva forms a semilunar fold, a rudiment of the third eyelid. Pain in the eyelid can be cause by the following diseases:

• erysipelas of the skin of the eyelids;
•  shingles;
• furuncle of the eyelid;
• barley;
• eyelid abscess;
• phlegmon of the eyelid;
• orbital phlegmon.

The above list of diseases is far from all the possible causes of eyelid pain. Let’s take a closer look at each of them and try to understand the pattern of disease development and subsequent eyelid pain.

Erysipelas of the skin of the eyelids

This disease can occur as a result of minor damage to the skin. Hemolytic staphylococcus can penetrate the skin through such damage. Erysipelas of the skin of the eyelids most often begins suddenly. The patient develops the following symptoms of the disease:

• headache;
• chills;
• pain in the eyelid;
• redness and swelling of the skin.

It is worth noting that the affected areas of the skin are sharply delimited from healthy ones by raised, ridge-like edges in the form of a zigzag line.

Shingles

This disease can occur as a result of the herpes virus affecting the trigeminal nerve or its branches. Shingles can occur in a complex form, at first the patient is haunted by general malaise and weakness. The body temperature may also rise. In the affected areas of the skin (forehead, eyelids and temples) severe pain appears, and the following symptoms also occur:

• hyperemia;
• swelling;
• an eruption of clear blisters (rash).

Phlegmon

With phlegmon of the eyelid, the patient experiences diffuse redness, compaction and soreness of the eyelid, as well as general physical malaise. There is an increase in temperature and headache. This disease is cause by pyogenic microbes. The cause may be an infected local injury. Phlegmon may occur against the background of:

• barley;
• furuncle of the eyelid;
• ulcerative blepharitis;
• inflammatory process of the paranasal sinuses.

The disease develops over several days, after opening the inflammatory phenomena gradually subside.

Lacrimal sac phlegmon manifests itself as inflammation, redness and swelling of the skin. There is a thickening of the skin in the area of ​​the lower inner corner of the eye slit. It develops, as a rule, against the background of other chronic inflammations. When palpating this place, chronic sharp pain occurs, and an oval thickening is feel under the fingers.

Orbital phlegmon may begin with swelling and redness of the skin of the eyelids and conjunctiva. The eyeball protrudes, which is call exophthalmos. In this case, the mobility of the eyeball is limited. Diplopia and headache appear. The body temperature also increases. Orbital phlegmon is cause by purulent processes in the face. These may be the following diseases:

• erysipelas;
• boils;
• purulent dacryocystitis;
• barley;
• eyelid abscess;
• purulent sinusitis;
• orbital trauma with infection.

If the condition rapidly worsens against the background of the above diseases, you should immediately consult a doctor. The prognosis is very serious not only for the organ of vision, but also for the life of the patient, especially for children.

Other diseases

A corneal ulcer or purulent corneal lesion can be the cause of eyelid pain. The disease begins acutely, severe pain, stinging in the eye, lacrimation, photophobia, and decreased vision appear. The disease is preced by microtrauma of the cornea, conjunctivitis, eyelid pain, eversion of the eyelid, and dacryocystitis.

Pain in the eyelid may also occur with acute purulent conjunctivitis . The patient complains of pain and burning in the eyes, redness. There are copious purulent discharges from the eye. There are dry crusts of pus on the edges of the eyelids and eyelashes.

Endophthalmitis is a purulent inflammation of the inner membranes of the eye. It is a consequence of an eye disease, injury. It accompanies other purulent processes in the body. The disease is characterize by pain in the eye and eyelids. Vision is sharply reduce, the eyelids are swollen. In addition, the doctor may observe edema of the cornea. The iris of the eye is reddish, dilated vessels are visible.