Differential Diagnosis of a Swollen Red Eyelid
Atopic dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Rosacea
Eyelid disorders
Allergic reaction, locally
Hordeolum, stye
Chalazion
Blepharitis
Herpes simplex blepharitis (primary)
Conjunctivitis (from infection)
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (shingles in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve)
Tumor, eg, verrucae, papilloma, basal or squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma
Insect bite
Entropion or ectropion
Xanthelasma (lipid disorder or idiopathic)
Dacryocystitis (lacrimal sac infection)
Canaliculitis
Disorders in and around the orbit
Preseptal cellulitis
Orbital cellulitis
Cavernous sinus thrombosis (rare)
Systemic disorders
Systemic allergic reaction:
-Angioedema
-Allergic rhinitis
Generalized edema from:
-Myxedema (severe hypothyroidism),
-Renal disease,
-Congestive heart failure,
-Superior vena cava syndrome
-Hyperthyroidism (e.g. Graves ophthalmopathy)
Thinking through the Differential diagnosis
Swelling due to systemic disorders is bilateral and not erythematous.
Which of the conditions are usually bilateral, which are usually unilateral, and which are either unilateral or bilateral?
Further Reading
Am Fam Physician. 2007 Dec 15;76(12):1815-1824. Differential Diagnosis of the Swollen Red Eyelid. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/1215/p1815.html
Am Fam Physician. 2015 Jul 15;92(2):106-112. Differential Diagnosis of the Swollen Red Eyelid. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0715/p106.html
merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/symptoms-of-ophthalmologic-disorders/eyelid-swelling (Last Accessed 12/2017)