In this manner, the upper eyelid helps to keep the eyeball and cornea moist. Additionally, dust and other foreign particles are also brushed off during the blinking process. When we are asleep, the eyelid covers the eye, and thereby prevents damage because of excessive evaporation. Throughout our lifetime, the eyelid continues to function in this way. However, at times, different disorders cause the upper eyelid to swell up and stop functioning properly.

Let’s take a look at some important causes of swollen upper eyelid:

Blepharitis - It is the primary cause of swollen upper eyelid. There are a variety of reasons for blepharitis like allergy, tumor, medications and environmental conditions. Apart from inflammation in the upper eyelid, itching, irritation, redness and burning sensation is also experienced.

Chalazion - The oily secretions from Meibomian glands keep the upper eyelid lubricated. However, sometimes, due to obstruction, the oil is unable to exit from the tiny openings of the glands. The oil begins to accumulate and form a lump called chalazion. The formation of chalalzion leads to swollen upper eyelid.

Hordeolum - Also called sty, hordeolum is a very common cause of swollen upper eyelid. Like chalazion, sty is a lump that is formed because of accumulation of oil inside the Meibomian gland. While chalazion simply causes inflammation of the upper eyelid, sty is painful too because of acute infection of the lump.

Eyelid edema - In this case, the upper eyelid swells up as the result of buildup of fluid. It is usually the result of an allergic reaction. The cause of allergy may range from food, drugs, pollens and pollutants to chemicals, cosmetics and animals. As the name suggests, the main symptom of this eye disease is swollen upper eyelid. Some other symptoms are redness and pain in the eye.

Orbital Cellulitis - It is a serious eye disease, which is caused by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumonia. Often, eyelid injury, bug bite or sty can also cause orbital cellulitis. Apart from swollen upper eyelid, other symptoms of the disease are fever, severe eye pain and decreased vision.

Let’s take a look at some of the causes of swollen lower eyelid:

Blepharitis - This is one of the most common causes of swollen lower eyelid. Blepharitis is of two types viz. anterior blepharitis, which affects the outer side of the lower eyelid, and posterior blepharitis in which the inner side of the eyelid is affected. While the former is caused by dandruff and bacteria, the latter is result of meibomian gland disorder. Blepharitis should be treated immediately otherwise, it can lead to complications like sty and chalazion.

Chalazion - Swelling in the lower eyelid occurs due to blockade of meibomian gland, which is a special kind of sebaceous gland that is present at the rim of the eyelid. Its primary function is to secrete an oily substance that prevents the evaporation of tear film of the eye.

Orbital cellulitis - It is a serious infection of the eye caused by bacteria Staphylococcous aureus, Haemophilus influenza or Streptococcous pneumoniae. Apart from swollen lower eyelid, the patient suffers from severe eye pain and high fever.

Conjunctivitis - Another cause of swollen lower eyelid is conjunctivitis. In this case, due to bacterial or viral infection the conjunctiva swells up. Conjunctiva is a delicate membrane that lines the eyeball and eyelid. If left untreated, the swelling extends to the lower eyelid.

Surgery - Eye surgery can also result in the inflammation of lower eyelid. Consult your doctor immediately, if the swelling in lower eyelid has erupted after the eye operation.

Allergy - Often, direct contact with certain chemicals present in eye pencil, mascara, eye cream, and so forth can cause the lower eyelid to swell up. Over-the-counter eye ointments like neomycin and bacitracin, contact lens solution, and other allergens commonly found in the atmosphere can also lead to swollen lower eyelid.

Eye injury - Eye injury is yet another reason for swollen lower eyelid. With respect to eye injury, it is essential to consult your health provider prior to using any kind of treatment therapy.

Let’s find out the causes of swollen itchy red eyelids:

Hordeolum - It is the most common cause of swollen itchy red eyelids. Also known as sty, hordeolum develops when bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus infects the Meibomian gland, which secretes oil to keep the eyelids lubricated. Sty normally takes 1-2 weeks to heal. Warm wet compresses help in alleviating pain and draining pus. Tropical ointments are not very effective in the treatment of hordeolum.

Chalazion - When the oil is unable to come out of the Meibomian gland, it begins to accumulate inside the gland, due to which a lump appears on the eyelid. No pain is associated with the formation of chalazion. It only results in swollen itchy red eyelids.

Blepharitis - Another prominent cause of swollen itchy red eyelids is blepharitis. In addition to environmental pollutants, medications, tumor, allergy, surgery, viruses like Herpes zoster and Herpes simplex and bacteria as Staphylococcus aureus can also cause blepharitis.

Allergy - Hair dyes, cosmetics, corticosteroids, antihistamines and over-the-counter medications like neomycin can lead to swollen itchy red eyelids. Allergens found in the atmosphere can also cause the eyelids to become swollen and red.

Seborrheic Keratosis - In this case, corneal layer of the skin becomes thickened. Due to the formation of this outgrowth symptoms like inflammation, redness and itching develop in the eyelid.

Surgery and injury - Eye surgery or injury is yet another reason for swollen itchy red eyelids. It is advisable to consult your doctor before starting any kind of treatment.

Lice and mites - Sometimes, head lice living in the eyelashes cause eyelid inflammation and itching. Demodex mites that live in the hair follicles and Meibomian glands of the eyelashes also result in swollen itchy red eyelids.