“I’m 77 years old and have a big problem with an inflammation of the eyelids. My doctor prescribed me a cleaning agent and says it’s a lipid metabolism disorder. What does that mean?”
Redness, an unpleasant burning sensation and additional crusting in the area of the eyelids is often a stubborn problem and usually difficult to get rid of completely. Inside the eyelids are tiny but important glands that secrete an oily secretion that is spread evenly over the eye with every blink of the eye. This allows our lids to glide smoothly over the eye. This film also cannot evaporate so quickly – the eye should not dry out.
The cause of the symptoms can be an infection – or the glands produce too much fat, so that the gland ducts become blocked. Many environmental factors such as drafts, smoke, dust or smog can also promote eyelid inflammation.
It is important to have an ophthalmological clarification at the beginning before you resort to self-help. If the trigger is a herpes virus that is not recognized in time, it can attack the cornea and even severely impair your vision.
If bacteria – mostly staphylococci – are the trigger, antibiotic ointments often have a good effect. This treatment does not always bring about a cure, often only relief is possible and the sensitivity remains.
Hygienic measures such as moist compresses, cleaning the edge of the lid with cotton swabs (which must not be fluffy) are often recommended. You should always stroke in the direction of the lash line, i.e. from top to bottom on the upper eyelids and from bottom to top on the lower eyelids.
I hope that you will soon get this bothersome problem under control with the help of your ophthalmologist and that you will be able to take a clear look at your surroundings again.
Do you have questions about health? Write to OÖN doctor Johannes Neuhofer (dermatologist), who oversees this column with a team of doctors: Clemens Steinwender (cardiologist), Reinhold Függer (surgeon), Rainer Schöfl (gastroenterologist), Josef Hochreiter (orthopaedist), Werner Schöny (psychiatrist). E-mail: doktor@nachrichten.at
Source: Nachrichten
