When a regular stye is detected, as well as in case of serious disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, the eyelid above the eye becomes swollen. The disease is often accompanied by pain.
The upper eyelids begin to swell due to the fact that diseases of the digestive system have appeared, for example, these can be disorders of the kidneys and liver.
Anatomical features of the eyelids
The structure of the lower and upper eyelids includes several layers of cells:
- the first is epithelial;
- the second - consists of fat;
- the third is muscular.
The eyeball is protected by excretory secretion; it is located in “islands” of glandular tissue. The thickness of the eyelid has acinous meibovian glands.
The upper fabric consists of 40, and the lower one of 30 channels. Behind the base, where the eyelashes are located, is the location of the gland openings. They are capable of secreting oily lubricant from the eyelids.
Reasons why eyes water and hurt
The human eyes are considered the most unprotected and vulnerable organ. Its external protection is the eyelids, and its internal protection is the lacrimal glands. Therefore, the visual organ often receives various injuries, burns, infections, germs, dust and other small foreign bodies. In addition, the eyes are constantly under strain, because we spend a long time sitting at the computer, watching TV, reading books in poor lighting, and so on. Therefore, our body is forced to defend itself and respond to such circumstances. Very often, the eyes begin to water and even pain occurs when a foreign object (dust, eyelash, trash, etc.) gets into it. With the help of tears, the excess is pushed out, after which the pain and tearing stops; in some cases, the body is not able to cope on its own and immediate help from an ophthalmologist is required. Remember, the eyes are a very vulnerable and fragile organ, so any delay or unskilled actions can lead to loss of vision. But this is far from the only reason why eyes water and pain is felt. Let's consider others:
- Overwork very often causes pain in the eyes. Why is this happening? Both at home and at work, we spend a lot of time in front of the computer monitor, watching TV for a long time without a break. And this leads to the eyes being under constant tension and their mucous membrane begins to dry out. Our body asks for help in the form of lacrimation and pain. If it is impossible to exclude the computer, then it is necessary, on the doctor’s recommendation, to use special eye drops,
- It is also not uncommon for your eyes to hurt when wearing contact lenses. This happens when the lenses do not fit, are made of low-quality materials, or have expired. Even when wearing lenses for a long time, your eyes become watery and sore, so you need to take regular breaks.
- pain and active production of tears can also be an allergic reaction, which can be general and local. General refers to a reaction to allergens that enter the body through the respiratory system, and local or local includes intolerance to certain cosmetics or other drugs that come into direct contact with the skin of the eyes. Allergic reactions cause redness, pain, and watery eyes. For treatment, special antihistamine drops are used,
- if the eye hurts and waters, and yellowish-purulent mucus is released from it, then most likely an infection has occurred with pathogenic organisms,
- when the eye is blown out by a strong wind, draft or air conditioning, it can become inflamed, sore and watery,
- With high eye pressure, capillaries can burst, which causes pain, lacrimation, and the eyes turn red. This condition requires regular monitoring by an ophthalmologist, since the pathology can lead to complete loss of vision,
- Also, lacrimation and pain can be symptoms of diseases such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, iridocyclitis, and cataracts. Glaucoma.
Why does the upper eyelid hurt?
The formation of swelling over the organ of vision appears from drinking a large amount of liquid, in particular before bedtime. You can get rid of this problem if you wash your face and then make a lotion from the tea infusion.
If swelling of the eyelid is accompanied by pain, it appears for the following reasons:
- From the appearance of allergies - active flowering of plants can reveal an allergic reaction in a person, so swelling appears above the eye. It is imperative to take antihistamines, otherwise angioedema will develop.
- Due to a cold , the eyes become swollen and the upper eyelid begins to hurt. This occurs from increased lacrimation, resulting in swelling of the nasal sinuses.
- After the inflammatory process appears , swelling above the eye appears due to the onset of a disease of the organ of vision.
The first sign of swollen eyelids, as well as painful eyelids, are the following diseases:
- presence of conjunctivitis;
- the appearance of dacryoadenitis;
- due to meibomite.
Other reasons:
- In women, the upper eyelids swell due to the use of poor quality cosmetics.
- The disease manifests itself in people who suffer from impaired water metabolism, as well as if there is a hormonal imbalance.
- After prolonged crying, the eyelid often swells and the eyes begin to hurt. This occurs in people with sensitive skin.
Many symptoms can cause not only swelling of the eyelid, but also an inflammatory process.
Etiology [causes]
The condition of the eyes can be affected by various factors, but pain in the eyelid most often indicates the beginning of the development of an acute infectious inflammatory process in the eye. Ophthalmologists identify a number of factors that, after exposure, may cause pain in the eye area:
- infection (bacterial or viral);
- injuries to the eyelid or eyeball;
- allergic reaction to cosmetic products, food, medicines;
- neoplasms of the century;
- decreased immune defense;
- the presence of concomitant diseases of internal organs.
The most commonly diagnosed diseases of the eyes and eyelids, accompanied by pain:
- abscess - an accumulation of pus in the tissues of the eyelid, limited to the capsule, which arose as a complication of the inflammatory process;
- herpes zoster is a herpes infection that can affect the mucous membrane of the eyes;
- phlegmon - purulent inflammation of the tissues of the eyelid of a diffuse nature;
- demodicosis is a chronic disease caused by the activity of eyelash mites;
- erysipelas is an infectious lesion of the skin of the eyelids caused by streptococcal microflora;
- conjunctivitis is an infectious disease of the outer membrane of the eyeball;
- chalazion is a compaction or neoplasm that occurs due to blockage of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid;
- stye is a purulent inflammation of the hair follicle or sebaceous gland of the eyelid.
The most common eye diseases are stye and conjunctivitis, which, in the absence of proper treatment, can progress and be complicated by an abscess, cellulitis, and erysipelas.
What diseases cause pain in the eyelid?
There are several common reasons why the eyelid swells:
- the appearance of a boil;
- barley;
- chalazion;
- after the appearance of dacryocystitis;
- due to diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- due to kidney disease;
- from disturbed sleep patterns;
- when drinking large quantities of drinks at night;
- after traumatic damage to the organs of vision;
- if the eye is affected by conjunctivitis.
Stye or boil
When the Moebian gland becomes inflamed, a boil or stye appears.
A common disease affects the visual organs of many people, no matter what age they are.
The meibomian gland is responsible for the formation of the tear film, thanks to which fat or lard is produced.
Infection, as well as inflammation, appears after the meibomian gland is blocked.
The upper eyelid, like the lower eyelid, is affected by stye. This disease does not pose a particular danger to life; you can get rid of it yourself. Before using any home recipe, you should definitely consult a specialist for advice in order to avoid a large penetration of infection into the eye.
Shingles
The herpes virus often causes shingles.
The patient experiences an increase in body temperature, general weakness appears, and the person feels overwhelmed.
The upper or lower eyelid begins to hurt due to an infectious process.
The disease is accompanied by hyperemia and swelling of the skin. A rash appears on the dermis in the form of small blisters that affect the forehead and temples.
Eyelids hurt due to erysipelas
The disease erysipelas appears due to the presence of hemolytic streptococcus group A. As a result of microtrauma, the pathogen is able to penetrate the skin through any violation.
The disease occurs in an acute form and is characterized by the presence of the following symptoms:
- the patient develops chills;
- hyperemia was detected on the eyelid;
- the skin around the eye begins to swell;
- pain appears in the eyelid area.
If such a disease is detected, you should not take measures on your own. Only a specialist knows how to properly cope with the disease and eliminate its spread.
Blepharitis
The eyelids can become inflamed after having a known disease - blepharitis.
The disease occurs due to the following reasons:
- from the presence of parasites;
- after the penetration of bacteria;
- due to viruses;
- after penetration of chemical agents;
- from allergens;
When blepharitis appears, the disease is noticeable in both eyes. Pathology develops at any age. People who are 40-70 years old are most likely to be influenced. Blepharitis is found on the edges of the eyelids, where the eyelashes are located.
The disease is divided into several types:
- Front. The first case is characterized by damage to the edge of the eyelid.
- Rear . The meibomian glands are affected after the onset of posterior blepharitis.
- Angular . The corners of the eyes are affected if an angular appearance is detected.
Dacryocystitis
Against the background of obliteration or after the appearance of stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct, an inflammatory process appears in the lacrimal sac, which is called dacryocystitis.
If the disease is present, the following is observed:
- frequent lacrimation,
- mucopurulent discharge is released from the organ of vision,
- hyperemia appears,
- the tear duct swells.
If no action is taken, conjunctivitis appears, the lacrimal sac swells, the palpebral fissure narrows and is accompanied by pain.
The diagnosis includes a consultation with an ophthalmologist, he examines the patient and palpates the lacrimal sac area. The West nasolacrimal test is taken from the patient. It is necessary to take an x-ray of the lacrimal ducts.
Treatment of the disease includes probing, and it is also necessary to rinse the nasal canal using antiseptic solutions. Antibacterial drops and ointments are suitable as medications. It’s a good idea to have some physical therapy.
Abscess and phlegmon of the upper eyelid
The upper eyelid begins to thicken, then swells, redness appears, and then droops.
The patient begins to experience pain in the head, and the eyelid becomes painful.
Phlegmon eyelid , it becomes dense and becomes painful.
The patient develops general malaise, body temperature begins to rise, and the disease is accompanied by a headache. The disease appears from the settlement of pyogenic microbes.
Local injury affected by infection becomes the first cause of the disease. Often, phlegmon occurs after barley, as well as a boil of the eyelid.
During the first few days, the disease develops. The phenomena subside after the autopsy has occurred.
Cysts and tumors of the upper eyelid
At first, the cyst does not bother the patient; it is asymptomatic.
By massaging the area, you may notice the presence of a painless nodule.
It occupies a place in the upper or lower eyelid.
Within 2-3 weeks, spontaneous resorption of the formation is possible.
After the addition of a secondary infection, the disease begins to develop with severe symptoms:
- Pain appears;
- The eyelid begins to deform;
- Vision deteriorates;
- Hyperemia and swelling are observed.
- The central area of the cyst becomes yellow.
What to do?
First you need to stop using any cosmetics so as not to provoke further irritation. If the pain is caused by eye fatigue, then you need to give them a rest and give them a light massage. It is advisable to use drops of artificial tears (Vizin, Artelak).
Allergic diseases are treated with antihistamines, for example, Cetrin. For bacterial infections, antibacterial drops are prescribed. These include Levomycetin, Sulfacyl sodium.
When ulcers form, complex treatment is selected. Use antibacterial eye ointments (Tetracycline, Floxal). In addition to local antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic antibiotics and physiotherapeutic treatment (UV and UHF) are prescribed. Endophthalmitis, abscess and phlegmon are treated in the hospital.
It is necessary to accelerate the maturation and opening of the abscess as quickly as possible. But it is better to do this under the supervision of an ophthalmologist. Under no circumstances should you heat, squeeze, or puncture ulcers. In these cases, you can get an infection directly into the eye and even lose your vision.
Unopened swellings can be treated with aqueous-alcohol solutions. Calendula tincture or camphor alcohol will do. Large ulcers that do not open on their own are subject to surgical intervention only.
What to do if your eyelids hurt
If there is a disease of the organ of vision or swelling of the upper eyelid, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disease. Mandatory medical attention will be required if a tumor appears. At home, you can relieve simple allergic or cold swelling.
Using simple remedies will help get rid of the problem:
- Using soda - dissolve 1 tbsp in 200 ml. table soda and then apply as a compress. The product helps get rid of swelling and also acts as a disinfectant for the eyelids.
- The use of tea leaves
helps get rid of swelling, relieves fatigue, and also relieves tension from the organ of vision. After using the compress, dark circles under the eyes disappear. - Eyebright infusion
- prepare a tincture from 200 ml of alcohol and 50 g of dry eyebright. It will help get rid of unpleasant sensations.
Allergic edema can be effectively treated with medications presented in the form of ointments, and eye drops will also help.
Among them are antihistamines:
- Lecrolin;
- Opatanol;
- Cromohexal.
Opatanol
Lecrolin
Cromohexal
Cannot do without the use of hormonal drugs:
- use hydrocortisone eye ointment;
- Dexamethasone is used.
Hydrocortisone
Dexamethasone
The painful condition should not be overlooked; it must be eliminated in the first stages.
Symptoms
The main symptom of eye disease is pain when blinking or when pressing on the eyelid, but here it is very important to accurately determine the nature of the pain and its location, which are important factors in making a diagnosis.
With otitis or frontal sinusitis, pain occurs when palpating the area in the area of the bridge of the nose, between the eyebrows, extending to the eyelids, which are slightly swollen and hyperemic. If, with barley, the inflammatory process is localized in the upper eyelid, then the patient complains of burning and pain in the eyelashes, which intensifies when the eyelids close, and the presence of a sensation of a foreign body. With conjunctivitis, the upper eyelid of the eye hurts, under the upper eyelid, there is a feeling of scattered sand inside the eyes. When pressed, the pain intensifies, and purulent discharge appears from the corner of the eye.
In addition to pain, patients complain of lacrimation, redness, swelling of the eyelid, purulent discharge, and photophobia. Only an experienced ophthalmologist will be able to correctly compare subjective and objective data, prescribe an additional set of studies and comprehensive treatment.
How to eliminate swelling
Eye disease occurs for various reasons. Treatment should be applied depending on the cause, as well as the course of the disease, which contributes to the appearance of pain in the eyelids.
Swelling is eliminated as follows, depending on the disease:
- Treatment of a boil - before it opens, it is necessary to use dry heat, the skin around the disease is treated with camphor alcohol. If swelling of the eyelid is detected, a water-alcohol compress is applied. Antibiotics are injected into the organ of vision in the form of drops. Compresses cannot be used to treat a boil, as it is likely to spread the infectious process. Severe cases are treated with systemic antibiotics and vitamin therapy.
- Removing the halyzon is necessary at the first stage. Treatment of the disease is eliminated by the following drugs: using antibiotics;
- as well as anti-inflammatory drugs;
- restorative medications help;
- using physiotherapeutic methods.
Eyes are the most important organ, without them it is difficult for a person to live. In case of any changes or disturbances associated with the organs of vision, it is necessary to urgently contact an ophthalmologist for help. It will help prevent complications. To maintain good vision, careful attention to health and general condition is required without the use of self-medication.
Causes
If the eyelid above the eye hurts, the cause may be visual fatigue. In this case, the pain is always accompanied by additional symptoms - swelling, lacrimation, redness of the eyes, pain, and a feeling of sand.
Provoking factors of pain are:
- poor lighting and overstrain of the eye muscles as a result;
- long work at the computer;
- lack of sleep;
- emotional exhaustion.
Another common cause of eyelid pain is injury or a foreign object entering the eye. In the latter case, the pain is pronounced, profuse lacrimation appears.
With a traumatic injury, a bruise or trace of injury is visible on the skin, and there is swelling. Painful sensations are accompanied by refractive errors (astigmatism, myopia or hypermetropia).
The nature of the pain may be allergic. In this case, irritation of the eyelids is caused by allergens or unfavorable factors, for example, smoke, pollen, wind, cold, cosmetics.
The eyelid may hurt due to the following infectious diseases or inflammatory processes:
- Conjunctivitis (bacterial, viral, allergic) . Pain in the eyelid is felt when pressing, accompanied by redness of the mucous membrane, burning and stinging.
- Blepharitis . The eyelid turns red, itches, and peeling is noticeable. With the ulcerative form, yellow crusts appear. Read more about blepharitis→
- Dacryocystitis . Newborns often suffer from this disease. The pain is mild. Lacrimation and profuse purulent discharge come to the fore.
- Herpes . Accompanied by severe peeling, burning, itching, and a rash appears.
- Erysipelas . The skin around the eyes is swollen and inflamed, and the edges of the eyelids are raised.
- Shingles . Depending on the location of the lesion, the lower or upper eyelid hurts. The skin becomes swollen, a rash appears, and general health worsens.
- Endophthalmitis . The eyelids become red and swollen, and the eyeball fills with pus. There is a high risk of vision loss.
- Demodicosis . It is caused by the demodex mite, which parasitizes the sebaceous glands of the eyelids. It causes inflammation, rash and itching.
Pain can also be caused by ulcers or erosions. If the upper eyelid of the eye hurts, then the cause is barley, meibomitis, boil, phlegmon or abscess. In this case, the ulcers can open on their own.
If the eyelid above the eyeball hurts and a dense formation is felt there, it is a chalazion. The disease is a chronic form of meibomitis, which can lead to deformation of the eyelid. Chalazion appears as a complication of acute respiratory viral infection, caused by hypothermia, infection from dirty hands or congenital increased production of tear fluid. The pain is insignificant.
What not to do with swollen eyelids and pain
Recommendations:
- A swollen eyelid should not be heated and this should be remembered.
- You cannot make any efforts on your own; it is not recommended to squeeze out purulent contents. A negative reaction will instantly appear from pressure. After this, the infection will spread to other places where there is no disease. This will lead to severe complications, including loss of vision.
- The appearance of diseases of the organs of vision must be handled carefully and, first of all, seek help from a specialist . You should treat your eyes yourself after a complete examination by a doctor.
Barley - life-threatening complications
Styes cause sharp pain in the upper and lower eyelids, which are affected equally often. Caused by staphylococcus, it appears in people with reduced immunity as a result of hypothermia, vitamin deficiency, and endocrine pathology.
The first sign of stye is swelling of the eyelid. At the same time, unpleasant sensations arise in the eye, and when pressed lightly, the eyelids hurt. Later, hyperemia appears and purulent discharge occurs. Accompanied by barley:
• a sharp increase in temperature;
• intense headaches;
• enlarged lymph nodes.
Barley can recur and cause serious complications in the form of generalization of infection:
• phlegmon;
• abscess;
• meningitis;
• thrombosis of cerebral vessels.
These symptoms require immediate medical attention.
After a certain time, the barley opens on its own or disappears before reaching this stage.
Prevention of the disease
To reduce swelling and get rid of it, it is recommended to use commonplace means:
- People with chronic diseases need to use corrective diets. Significant results are achieved by reducing the intake of spicy and salty foods, and you should stop drinking large amounts of liquid;
- The path to health and beauty lies through daily, normal and sufficient sleep;
- Wearing sunglasses helps protect your eyes from UV damage;
- Women should be careful when using the cosmetics they choose. Before purchasing cosmetics, you need to pay attention to the composition and production time of the product and only buy the product after full familiarization.
The eyes are an important organ that requires careful attention.
Dmitry Arkhipov
Ophthalmologist of the highest category and author of the website vizhuchetko.com. For more than 10 years, she has been successfully helping adults and children fight eye diseases.
What to do at home
Folk remedies for swollen eyelids are not the most effective, but they are also worth paying attention to. Rinsing an eye with a swollen eyelid with a solution of chamomile or calendula will help relieve swelling as quickly as possible, and will also reduce pain, if any.
- Rubbing the area of the swollen eyelid with an ice cube made from a decoction of a medicinal plant with antiseptic properties - chamomile, lemon balm, string or mint. You can take diuretic decoctions of cranberries or rose hips internally to remove excess fluid from the body, which contributes to the appearance of swollen eyelids.
- Applying raw potatoes to the area of the swollen eyelid reduces inflammation and redness, but only slightly reduces pain. The best way to use potatoes as a remedy is to finely grate the potatoes and use them with gauze as a small compress.
- Regular black tea also helps in the fight against swelling of the eyelids. You just need to brew black tea strongly, then simply soak cotton wool or cotton pads in it and apply them to the problem area. For a better effect, you can cool the black tea.
- Using cucumber masks helps relieve swelling and inflammation. It is enough to finely grate a fresh cucumber and wrap it in a thin layer of gauze, then apply it to the problem area and leave for 10-15 minutes.
- Cow's milk and compresses are good for eliminating swollen eyelids. You need to soak cotton wool or cotton pads in cool milk and apply them to your eyelids for 15-20 minutes, then lightly rinse the application areas with water, but without soap. This procedure not only relieves swelling, but also softens the skin and makes it more tender.
- Often people use a herbal compress. To prepare it, take herbs such as sage, chamomile, lemon balm, string and others, then pour boiling water over it and leave for about 20 minutes. Next, you need to cool and wrap a small amount of herbs in a thin layer of gauze and apply to your eyelids for 10 minutes. You can alternate cooled and warm herbs, thanks to the change in temperature, this method will be more effective.
