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What Causes Recurrent Painful,puffy Eyelids And Dryness Of Eyes?

Posted on Fri, 20 Jun 2014

Question: I have a question, pertaining to my eyes. I have been seen by numerous doctors, regarding my eye/eye lid situation. The situation is that my lids and eyes are very red, lids are puffy, painful, eyes are very dry, it often feels as though there is sand in my eye lids, the eyes water significantly at times, but not too often. I have been given a steroid eye drop. It helps so well that it is though I have no medical problem, with my eyes/eye lids. However, I have not been given a clear answer, as to why this problem developed about 3 years ago. I had blood work completed, and I have nothing wrong with me, according to the blood work. I have no HIV/AIDS, no herpes simplex 1 or 2. However, I was wondering if there were any other types of sexually diseases that could cause this problem? Also, are HIV/AIDS and herpes simplex 1 and 2 sexual diseases, even though they are viruses? Can a virus be a disease and vise versa?

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
These are not related with HIV, Herpes simplex.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic

I am Dr. DADAPEER K, an Ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.

It seems from the history that you are having problem of recurrent episodes of painful, puffy eyelids, dryness of eyes.
These symptoms indicate blepharoconjunctivitis. This is probably allergic nature as it is responding to steroid eye drops.
The treatment of the condition is by use of lid scrubs to clean the eye lid margin and use of anti allergic eye drops and artificial tears eye drops. Though the use of steroids provides very good relief, they should be used only during acute exacerbations because of potential side effects of steroids on eye when used for long time.

These symptoms does not appear to be related to HIV, Herpes simplex and other viral infections or sexually transmitted infections, hence no need to worry.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (2 hours later)

Thank You Dr. Dadapeer, I appreciate your informative and helpful response. I am relieved to hear that it is not related to any sexual disease.

I would also like to ask, if this current condition of mine could cause any other eye problems, such as blindness, etc?

Also, could the eye lid scrubs cause damage to the lids or eyes?

Thanks again Doctor!

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This will not affect vision or cause blindness.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic
Thank you for the follow up question.

The current condition of yours will not cause any vision related problems, hence no need to worry.
Eye lid scrubs should be applied only to the eyelids and if they enter inside of the eye they usually cause irritation, but more than irritation they will not cause any damage to the eye.
If you are having irritation after use of eye lid scrubs you can wash the eyes or use artificial tears eye drops.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (46 minutes later)

Thank you Dr. Dadapeer,

I have one final question. Is blepharoconjunctivitis contagious and if so how can I be certain to avoid getting my family and friends infected? Also, I have had this condition for 3 years. Does blepharoconjunctivitis last this many years or longer? Does blepharoconjunctivitis itself cause blindness?

Thanks Doctor!

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Blepharoconjunctivitis will not cause blindness.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic
Thank you for the follow up question.

Blepharoconjunctivitis is not contagious and hence no need to worry about spreading to others.
Blepharoconjunctivitis is a chronic condition and it can last longer with recurrent emissions, hence no need to worry. Sometimes it can lasts for 3-5 years or longer.
Blepharoconjunctivitis is not known to cause blindness by itself hence no need to worry.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (9 hours later)

Thanks again Doctor Dadapeer!

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for writing to health care magic

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar