The most common cause of an acute lid swelling is an infection of the tiny sweat and oil glands emptying into the margin of the lids. The person with an infection of a sweat gland, commonly known as a stye, usually exhibits diffuse swelling of the lid with a tiny raised nodule on the lid margin that indicates the actual site of involvement. Inflammation of the meibomian or oil glands will result in an internal hordeolum (an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid) that can also result in diffuse lid swelling. With time an internal hordeolum may resolve in the formation of a capsule in the tissue of the lid. The patient then has a firm lump that can be felt through the skin surface of the eyelid. The lump, or chalazion, is an eruption of the contents of the meibomian glands into the tissues that results in a granulomatous response with a cystic change. If the initial infection is minimal, a chalazion may develop without any history of a swollen lid. If the lump does not resolve with treatment advised by the ophthalmologist excision or drainage is usually recommended.
If you are concerned about swollen eyelid and have questions you would like to ask questions please call Doctor & Associates for help at 203-227-4113.
