Tears, which are made up of water, oil, mucus, antibodies and protein, according to the Mayo Clinic, lubricate the eyes and keep them moist. The components of tears are made in glands around the eye; a disturbance in any part of tear production...
The surface of the eye is constantly bathed by lubricating and moisturizing tears. Tears provide oils, proteins and enzymes to keep the surface of the eyes healthy. Dry eyes result either from decreased tear production or increased tear...
Your eyelashes are lengthened hairs around your eyes that provide protection from pollen, dust and other debris. In certain circumstances, the structures associated with your eyelashes may become inflamed, leading to symptoms such as burning,...
Swollen eyelids may indicate a number of eye conditions, such as a blocked gland in the lid, called a chalazion, or an eye infection. Lid swelling often causes pain and tightness around the eyelids. As well, the eyelids may block out part of the...
Bumps on the eyelids can cause irritation and pain. The condition can develop for several reasons, ranging from an insect bite to something more serious. If you have bumps on your eyelids, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Eyelid bumps usually begin as a small knot under the skin or on top. A person may not notice the bump in these beginning stages. Bumps occur on the upper or lower eyelid, for similar reasons. However, if bumps on the upper eyelid continue to...
The human eyes are organs that detect light and convert electro-chemical impulses in the neurons. The eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers as well as protects the eye. Growing from the eyelid is a row of eyelashes which also serve to protect...
N-acetylcysteine, also known as NAC, is an amino acid that may help prevent recurring bronchitis and cancer, as well as help treat conditions such as pulmonary diseases and cirrhosis. In addition to these possible benefits, N-acetylcysteine may...
A number of types of bumps can develop on the inside of the eye. More often that not, the bumps are benign and not cause for alarm. The most common bumps are styes, but these inflamed oil glands are red in color and quite tender to the touch. A...
Inflammation of the eyelids may result from a condition known as blepharitis. The condition often results from bacteria or a skin condition such as rosacea. In severe cases, antibiotics may offer some relief, but in mild cases your doctor may...
Tears keep the eyeball moist so that clear vision is possible, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Tears are a complex formulation of three layers of moisture, including oil, a watery substance and a mucus. The outer oil layer...
The lower eyelid protects and nourishes your eye, and the skin of the lid is thinner and more pliable than almost anywhere else on the body. It contains glands to nourish the lashes, sweat glands to keep your eyes cool, and tarsal or meibomian...
Puffy eyelids are cosmetically distressing, but they also may signal a serious medical condition, such as an infection. The condition, also known as blepharitis, may affect just the front edge of the eyelid around your lashes, the upper portion of...
Dry eyes are a relatively common condition wherein an individual's tears aren't capable of maintaining a healthy moisture level in the eyes. Eye dryness can originate from a number of sources, from allergies to prolonged exposure to wind or...
The term “pink eye” is often overused and misinterpreted. The term commonly describes an eye infection, primarily conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis literally means "inflammation of the conjunctiva," which is the white part of...
Rosacea is a skin condition typically characterized by redness in the face, usually on the forehead, cheeks and nose. Blood vessels underneath the skin, known as telangiectasias, are often visible in affected areas. Rosacea is more common in...
Treatment for dry eye syndrome varies depending on the severity and cause of the condition. Sometimes a change in lifestyle, such as discontinuing contact lens wear, reducing computer use or avoiding allergens, can alleviate symptoms....
The eyelids, or palpebrae, have some of the thinnest skin of the body and serve to protect the eyes. The eyelashes also protect the eyes from sweat, dust and debris. Secretions such as tears keep the eyes moist. Infections and inflammation can...
A stye appears as a bump on the edge of the eyelid. Similar to a pimple, it is red, swollen, inflamed and tender to the touch. It contains pus and will eventually come to a head, drain and heal if left untreated. A stye is a blocked oil gland and...
A sty, sometimes referred to as a chalazion or hordeolum, causes a bump on the eyelid. The area may have swelling and tenderness and might also cause vision changes and surface irritation of the eye. The sty might appear on the upper or lower...
Dry eye is a condition characterized by inadequate tear production, with symptoms currently afflicting up to 33 million Americans. Tears, composed of water, fatty oils, proteins and electrolytes, serve as a clear, protective layer to prevent...
Redness, itching, discharge and pain are common signs of inflammation of the eye. Although there are many causes of eye inflammation, the type, extent and severity of symptoms should be considered before giving self-treatment. If the inflammation...
A sty, also known as a chalazion, often results from a blocked oil gland in the eyelid. Adults and children alike have these glands, called meibomian glands, which produce oils that make up part of the tear film covering the eye's surface. Sties...
Chalazion is the term for a lump, or raised area, on the eyelid, that occurs due to a blocked meibomian, or eyelid gland. A hordeolum, or stye, is the name given during the initial or acute phase of the possibly infected gland, whereas a chalazion...
Some 9 million people across the United States suffer moderate to severe dry eye symptoms, according to experts at Harvard University's Schepens Eye Research Institute. An even greater number of Americans suffer from unreported milder cases of the...
Castor oil has been used for centuries in traditional folk medicine practices and has also been called the "palm of Christ" due to its reported ability to cure various ailments. In contemporary society, castor oil is found in everything from...
Your eyelids contain meibomian glands that produce oils that become part of your tear film. At times, the duct of the gland may have a blockage, resulting in a bump on the eyelid, a condition commonly known as a stye. The blocked duct may cause...
Dry eyes is an uncomfortable condition that may cause burning, itchiness and inflammation in your eyes. They occur when your eyes produces poor quality or no tears at all. The causes vary and according to MayoClinic.com can include clogged...
Castor oil is derived from the castor oil plant Ricinus communis. Castor oil can be ingested or applied topically. Although castor oil may be best known known as a natural laxative, it may also help treat numerous other ailments including eye...
