Xanthelasma
Introduction
Eyelid problems are commonand rarely serious, but see your GP if you're worried or your eye is particularly uncomfortable.
Contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately, or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department ,if you also have pain in or around your eye or any Visual impairment .
The information below should give you an idea of what might be wrong,although itshouldn'tbe used to self-diagnose your condition.
It covers possible causes for the following eyelid problems, plus specific advice about what to do. You can find out about:
- swollen eyelids or eyelid cysts
- itchy, flaky or stickyeyelids
- lumps on or around the eyelids
- hooded or droopy uppereyelids
- rolling outwards of the lower eyelids (ectropion)
- rolling inwards of the eyelids (entropion)
- yellow plaques on the eyelids
- excessive blinking or uncontrollable closure of the eyelids
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 28 Nov 2016
Introduction
Read about some of the main causes of eyelid problems, including cysts, styes, blepharitis, dry eyes, ptosis, ectropion and entropion.
Swollen eyelid or eyelid cyst
It's quite common for the upper or lower eyelid to become swollen because of a meibomian cyst (also called a chalazion). This occurs when the glands in the eyelid become blocked. Thesecysts vary in
Hooded or droopy upper eyelids
As you get older, it's quite common to have excess skin above the upper eyelids that can overhang and block your vision. This is called dermatochalasis. If it affects your vision, surgery may be consi
Lower eyelid that rolls outwards (ectropion)
As you get older, one or both lower eyelids can sometimes droop away from the eye and turn outwards. This is known as an ectropion . The drooping eyelid can disrupt the normal production of tears,
Yellow plaques on the eyelids
Flat yellow patches (plaques) over the upper or lower eyelids are called xanthelasma. Although these plaques are harmless, they indicate you have high cholesterol . See your GP because you may be a
Excessive blinking or uncontrollable closure of the eyelids
It's quite common and normal for the eyelid to flicker or twitch occasionally, particularly when you're tired. It's moreunusual tohave repeated spasms of excessive blinking and involuntary closure of
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