Repair Eyelid Disorders for Beautiful, Healthy Eyes

The doctors at Broberg Eye Care provide screenings and treatment for eyelid disorders that can affect your vision and compromise your ocular health. Our Ophthalmologists are committed to helping patients experience clear, healthy vision without the discomfort of droopy or irritated eyelids. Contact us today to learn more.

Many people suffer from blepharitis, or swollen, irritated eyelid tissue. The most common symptoms of blepharitis include:

  • Improper eyelash growth or loss
  • Light sensitivity, such as glare, halos, or starbursts
  • Itchy skin around the eyes
  • Burning or tingling in the eyes
  • Excessive tearing or watery eyes
  • Redness of the eyeball and surrounding tissue
  • Eyelid inflammation
  • Dry eyes, which may prompt you to blink more
  • Crust formation on eyelashes, especially after sleep
  • Difficulty opening eyelids
  • Excess oil on the eyelids

There are many causes of blepharitis, and your treatment will depend on the specifics of your condition. Your eyelid can become inflamed and irritated due to:

A localized bacterial infection at the base of the lashes.
This can be treated with topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents. In some cases, acne medications contribute to bacterial overgrowth, so you may need to curtail or discontinue use of these products.

Skin conditions such as Rosacea and Seborrheic Dermatitis.
These can be treated topically, with oral medications, or with specialized light therapy.

Lice or mites in the eyelashes.
These can be treated with treatments such as lid washes with diluted tea tree oil.

Abnormal function of the oil-producing glands in the lid margin.
This can be treated with improved lid hygiene, changes in diet, eye drops and ointments, and occasionally with oral treatments as well.

Allergic reaction to facial and beauty products.
This can be treated with topical agents and only rarely requires oral treatment.

In general, the best defense against blepharitis is maintaining good ocular hygiene, which prevents bacterial overgrowth. We typically recommend using warm compresses, gentle cleansers, and light massage to the lash line.

As you age, or due to certain hereditary conditions, your eyelids may lose their normal contour. Depending on the severity of these changes, droopy lids can be a cosmetic annoyance, or be associated with:

  • Heaviness of the lids
  • Difficulty opening and closing your eyelids
  • Ocular fatigue
  • Decreased peripheral vison
  • Decreased clarity of vision

If your lid alignment is severely impacting your daily life, we may recommend blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure to return the eyelids to normal alignment. During this procedure, you surgeon will firm your eyelid muscles and trim excess skin. In addition to correcting lid alignment issues, blepharoplasty can also give your eyes a younger, brighter appearance.

Occasionally, changes in lid alignment are sudden and associated with other ocular changes. If you experience abrupt changes in your eyelid position, please contact our office for an exam.

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