blepharospasm

Eyelid disorders include a variety of conditions that affect your eyelids. Your eyelids protect your eyes and help keep them healthy. When you blink, they spread tears across your eyes and help wash away dirt or dust. You also close your eyelids when something comes near your eyes to protect them from injury.

Like other parts of your body, your eyelids can get infected, become swollen, or develop growths or eye cancer.

The cause depends on the type of disorder. Some eyelid disorders may run in families, while others happen for unknown reasons.

There are many kinds of eyelid problems. They can cause swelling, infection, irritation, or change how your eyelids look or move. Some may cause lumps or growths on or around the eyelids.

Eyelid disorders that cause swelling, redness, or infection include:

• Stye (hordeolum). A small, red, painful bump caused by a bacterial infection in an oil gland. A chalazion is a painless lump that may form after a stye.
• Blepharitis. Makes your eyelids red, itchy, or burning and can cause crusty eyelashes. It's often linked to bacteria or skin conditions like rosacea.
• Periorbital cellulitis. A bacterial infection of the eyelid and nearby skin. If it spreads behind the eye (orbital cellulitis), it needs immediate medical care.

Eyelid disorders that affect eyelid position or movement include:

• Ectropion (eyelids turn out). The inner eyelid is exposed, which can cause irritation or tearing.
• Entropion (eyelids turn in). The eyelashes rub against the eye, causing discomfort or damage.
• Ptosis (drooping eyelid). Often caused by weak muscles, aging, or nerve damage.

Eyelid growths include:

• Xanthelasma. Yellowish patches of cholesterol near the inner corners of the eyelids.
• Papilloma. A benign (noncancerous), wart-like skin growth.
• Basal cell carcinoma. The most common eyelid cancer, often on the lower eyelid.
• Squamous cell carcinoma. A less common but faster-growing skin cancer.
• Sebaceous gland carcinoma. A rare but serious cancer of the eyelid's oil glands.

Eyelid disorders that affect blinking or eyelid movement include:

• Blepharospasm. Eyelid blinking or twitching you can't control.
• Myokymia. A minor, occasional eyelid twitch often caused by fatigue or stress.

Symptoms can vary depending on the condition but may include:

• Feeling like something is in your eye
• Burning or stinging
• Watery or itchy eyes
• Red, swollen eyelids
• Blurry vision

Your eye care specialist may diagnose eyelid disorders during an eye exam. They may also ask about your medical and family history to help find the cause.

Treatment depends on the cause of the disorder. Some eyelid conditions get better on their own or may be related to another health condition. Keeping your eyelids clean can help prevent irritation and infection.

If you need treatment, it may include:

• Warm compresses
• Medicines or ointments
• Eye drops
• Surgery (less common)
• Lifestyle changes, such as getting more sleep or cutting back on caffeine

Botox is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It's the same toxin that causes a life-threatening type of food poisoning called botulism. Doctors use it in small doses to treat health problems, including:

• Temporary smoothing of facial wrinkles and improving your appearance
• Severe underarm sweating
• Cervical dystonia - a neurological disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder muscle contractions
• Blepharospasm - uncontrollable blinking
• Strabismus - misaligned eyes
• Chronic migraine
• Overactive bladder

Botox injections work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. The effects last about three to twelve months, depending on what you are treating. The most common side effects are pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. You could also have flu-like symptoms, headache, and upset stomach. Injections in the face may also cause temporary drooping eyelids. You should not use Botox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.