Several conditions may cause irritation to your eyelids and your eye's surface. Your eye doctor must examine your eyes to determine the exact cause for your condition. However, depending on the symptoms that accompany your redness and irritation, you often can narrow down the possible causes. Knowing the conditions that may cause your symptoms will help you discuss your eyes with your doctor and determine any necessary treatment.
Contact Dermatitis
If you use cosmetic products like moisturizer, eye shadow or makeup remover, you could have a reaction to the product, resulting in contact dermatitis. This condition -- which occurs when your skin doesn't tolerate a substance -- can result in a rash, redness, swelling or discomfort in the area of contact. Contact dermatitis also could result if you touch a substance and then rub your eyelid. Depending on your symptoms' severity, your doctor may recommend careful application of a cream or ointment to the affected area. However, if you have mild symptoms, she may recommend allowing the reaction to clear without treatment to prevent the topical medication from encountering your eye's surface.
Stye
Your eyelids' tissues contain glands that produce oil that comprises some of your tear film. If bacteria infect the gland, this may cause swelling, redness and discomfort. This condition, called a stye, will often clear on its own without treatment. However, if pus or other debris completely blocks the gland, you may need treatment. Initially, your eye doctor may recommend placing a warm, damp cloth over your eyelid to loosen matter causing the blockage. Do this a few times during the day, approximately five to 10 minutes each time. If this doesn't help loosen the matter and resolve your symptoms, your eye doctor may need to make an incision in your lid to drain the gland manually.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctiva, a thin tissue layer, covers your eye's white and your eyelid's underside. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, and eye allergies involve this tissue layer, and you may experience redness, itching, light sensitivity, tearing and eyelid inflammation. For allergies, your doctor may recommend an eye drop that will help reduce your eye symptoms. If you have a runny nose, sneezing or chest congestion in addition to your eye symptoms, you may need an oral medication like an antihistamine. If bacteria or fungi caused your eye infection, your doctor will recommend a medicated eye drop to fight the source. For viral pink eye, you may need to allow the condition to resolve on its own. If you have severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend a steroid eye drop to help ease your discomfort, but this medication will not fight the virus.
Considerations
If you have an eye condition that causes discomfort, redness or other unexplained symptoms, talk to your doctor. A prompt diagnosis and treatment may help prevent your symptoms from worsening.
