Diseases of the lids can be classified into inflammatory and non inflammatory
conditions. For today’s issue, I will be talking about the inflammatory conditions. These
conditions are:
- Blepharitis
This refers to inflammation of the lid margin and among children, this is of the
ulcerative types. This is characterized by the redness and yellow crusts at the lid
margin with the eyelashes matted together. Moreover, the conjunctiva is
secondarily affected, appearing congested and with mucoid is a discharge
The treatment consists of the application of warm moist compress over the lids
followed by the application of antibiotic eye ointment prescribed by a physician.
2. Stye or Hordeolum
This is the Staphylococcus infection of the glands of the lids. This infection will
produce painful red swellings of the Meibomian glands away from the lid margin
or the glands of Zeiss and Moll near the lid margin which could be due to the
rubbing of the lid with infected hands.
The treatment for this in consists in warm moist compresses and antibiotics
prescribed by a physician
3. Chalazion
This is an infection that happens when an internal hordeolum progresses to a
granuloma and may appear as a nontender localized swelling at the site of the
previous stye
For treatment, an incision and curettage of the granuloma is ideal at the posterior
aspect of the lid
4. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
Children can be affected by herpes zoster virus infection of the Gasserian
ganglion producing painful vesicular eruptions along the distribution of the first
and second divisions of the trigeminal nerve on one side of the face. The lids and
the eye can be involved
For treatment, children should be brought to an eye specialist for management of
this condition.