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What is blepharochalasis?
Blepharochalasis is a rare condition that causes painless swelling in your eyelids. The inflammation will come and go in episodes — times when you’re experiencing symptoms.
You might see blepharochalasis referred to as blepharochalasis syndrome. Healthcare providers use these names interchangeably, but they’re the same condition. Blepharochalasis is pronounced bleff-air-OH-kall-ISS-siss.
Experts don’t know what causes blepharochalasis, or why it comes back. Blepharochalasis won’t affect your vision, but the swelling might make your eyelid block part of your eye and lower your peripheral vision while you’re experiencing an episode.
Even though it doesn’t damage your eyes, the skin and other tissue on your eyelid can become permanently stretched out. Swelling then shrinking during and after blepharochalasis episodes can cause this.
Blepharochalasis usually affects your upper eyelids. Most people experience it bilaterally — blepharochalasis that affects both eyes at the same time. It’s less common, but some people do experience unilateral blepharochalasis — swelling in only one eyelid during an episode.
People with blepharochalasis have episodes every few months. Usually, episodes come and go (recur) for a few years before it enters a quiescent stage — the medical term for a condition that’s inactive.
There usually isn’t any specific treatment for blepharochalasis. An eye care specialist might prescribe medications that reduce inflammation to help with the swelling. Some people eventually need surgery to repair stretched out skin on their eyelids.
Visit a healthcare provider or eye care specialist as soon as you notice any swelling in or near your eyes.
Who does blepharochalasis affect?
Blepharochalasis can affect anyone. Most people with blepharochalasis develop it when they’re kids before puberty, usually around 11 years old.
Some studies have found that women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) might be more likely to develop blepharochalasis.
How common is blepharochalasis?
Blepharochalasis is rare. Experts don’t know for certain how many people have it each year because it’s so rarely reported. Providers sometimes misdiagnose it as a symptom of another condition.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of blepharochalasis?
The most common symptom of blepharochalasis is inflammation in your upper eyelids. Most people experience swelling for a few days during an episode.
Blepharochalasis doesn’t make your vision worse or affect any of the parts inside your eye that help you see. But, depending on how swollen your eyelids are, they might block part of your eye during an episode.
A blepharochalasis episode might cause other symptoms in your eyes and eyelids, including:
Eyelids that look or feel thin and stretched out.
Discolored skin on and near your eyelids.
Red eye.
Watery eyes.
What causes blepharochalasis?
Experts aren’t sure what causes blepharochalasis.
Studies have found links between blepharochalasis and changes in your hormones (the chemicals that carry messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles and other tissues). Some hormone changes that might trigger blepharochalasis include:
Puberty.
Menstruation.
Bee stings.
Fatigue.
Stress.
Infections that cause fevers.
Traumas or eye injuries.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is blepharochalasis diagnosed?
An eye care specialist will diagnose blepharochalasis with an eye exam. They’ll look at your eyelids and eyes (including inside them).
You might need a blood test to rule out infections.
Usually, an eye care specialist will rule out other conditions that cause swelling in your eyelids before diagnosing you with blepharochalasis. They might call this a differential diagnosis. Some conditions with similar symptoms as blepharochalasis include:
Blepharitis.
Angioedema.
Thyroid eye disease.
Sarcoidosis.
Ascher syndrome.
Idiopathic orbital inflammation (swelling with no known cause).
Floppy eyelid syndrome.
Management and Treatment
How is blepharochalasis treated?
Most people don’t need treatment for blepharochalasis.
Because it’s so rare and doesn’t damage your eyes or cause pain, an eye care specialist will focus more on managing the swelling when you’re experiencing an episode. They might suggest you take medications that reduce inflammation. Some medications used to treat swelling caused by blepharochalasis include:
Corticosteroids.
Over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs.
Antihistamines.
Immunosuppressants.
You might need eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) if the skin on your eyelids is permanently damaged or stretched out from the swelling. If you need surgery, an ophthalmologist will tell you what to expect and how long it’ll take to recover.
Prevention
How can I prevent blepharochalasis?
Because e
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