Condition library
Eyelid and tear-drainage conditions
Conditions affecting the eyelids, eyelid margin, tear drainage and surrounding tissues.
Medical reviewer Mr Mohamed Mohyudin, Consultant Ophthalmic SurgeonSite-wide clinical review
About this review
Mr Mohyudin completed a clinical review of the site’s medical content on the date shown. This page has been edited since then; a separate sign-off for this exact version has not yet been recorded, so we do not claim one.
Eyelid conditions: compared at a glance
Summaries only — follow each link for symptoms, causes, treatment and when to get urgent help.
| Condition | Part of the eye | In brief |
|---|---|---|
| Blepharitis | Eyelid | Inflamed eyelid margins causing crusting, grittiness and red rims; daily lid hygiene is the mainstay of control. |
| Stye | Eyelid | A painful red lump on the eyelid, usually from a blocked infected lash follicle; warm compresses help most cases settle. |
| Chalazion | Eyelid | A usually painless lump in the eyelid from a blocked oil gland; most clear with warm compresses. |
| Droopy eyelid (ptosis) | Eyelid | An upper eyelid that droops over the eye; usually age-related and treatable, but a sudden droop needs checking. |
| Entropion (eyelid turning inward) | Eyelid | An eyelid that turns inward so the lashes rub the eye; common with age and treatable, often with surgery. |
| Ectropion (eyelid turning outward) | Eyelid | A lower eyelid that sags outward, causing watering and dryness; common with age and treatable with surgery. |
| Blepharospasm | Eyelid | Involuntary, forceful eyelid spasms or closure; different from minor twitching and often treated with injections. |
| Eye twitching (eyelid twitch) | Eyelid | A common, harmless fluttering of the eyelid, usually linked to tiredness, stress or caffeine. |
| Dacryocystitis | Tear drainage duct | Infection of the tear sac causing a painful, swollen lump by the nose; needs antibiotics. |
| Blocked tear duct | Tear drainage duct | Tears cannot drain properly, causing a watery or sticky eye; common in babies and adults. |
| Watering eyes | Tear drainage duct and tear gland | Excessive tearing from blocked ducts, dryness or irritation; common and often treatable once the cause is found. |
| Orbital cellulitis | Eye socket (orbit) and eyelid | Deep infection around the eye causing painful swelling and often fever; a medical emergency. |
| Squint (strabismus) | Eye muscles | Eyes that point in different directions; common in children and treatable, and can also affect adults. |
| Amblyopia (lazy eye) | Visual pathway to the brain | Reduced vision in one eye that did not develop normally in childhood; most treatable when caught early. |
| Thyroid eye disease | Eye muscles and eye socket (orbit) | Eye changes linked to thyroid problems, causing bulging, dryness and double vision; needs specialist care. |
| Black eye | Eyelid and eye socket (orbit) | Bruising and swelling around the eye after a blow; usually heals in days but needs checking if vision changes. |
| Meibomian gland dysfunction | Eyelid and tear film | Blocked or poor-quality eyelid oil glands that drive dry, gritty eyes; often improves with warm compresses and lid hygiene. |
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common eyelid problems?
Blepharitis, styes, chalazia, watering from blocked tear ducts, and allergic swelling are among the most common. Regular lid hygiene helps many everyday cases.
When is a swollen eyelid an emergency?
Seek urgent care for painful swelling with fever, double vision, a bulging eye, or swelling after sinus infection or trauma — these can signal orbital infection.
Can thyroid disease affect the eyelids?
Yes. Thyroid eye disease can cause bulging eyes, lid retraction, dryness and double vision. It needs specialist monitoring even when the thyroid blood tests are controlled.