Swollen Eyelids

What causes swollen eyelids?

Swelling of the eyelid, also known as eyelid edema, has numerous possible causes ranging from mild to serious, including:

• pink eye (conjunctivitis),
• blepharitis,
• a chalazion,
• a stye (hordeolum),
• allergies,
• infection,
• Insect bite, or
• injury.

More rarely, a swollen eyelid is associated with a systemic condition like kidney or heart disease.

What are the symptoms of a swollen eyelid?

The swollen eyelid may be mild or severe, temporary or long-lasting, and depending on the cause, it may be accompanied by:

• itchiness,
• scale formations,
• difficulty with blinking,
• pain,
• tenderness,
• puffiness,
• discharge,
• facial swelling,
• fever, or
• loss of eyelashes.

Regardless of the symptoms, a swollen lid should never be ignored.

What should I do if I have a swollen eyelid?

If you have a swollen eyelid, avoid touching or rubbing it, and avoid wearing makeup and contact lenses.

Book an appointment with an optometrist. Many optometrists hold emergency appointments in their calendars and may see you on the same day. Based on the cause of your sore or swollen eyelid, your optometrist will recommend treatment options to help relieve the swelling.