What is blepharochalasis?
Blepharochalasis is a rare condition that causes painless swelling in your eyelids. The inflammation will come and go in episodes — times when you’re experiencing symptoms.
You might see blepharochalasis referred to as blepharochalasis syndrome. Healthcare providers use these names interchangeably, but they’re the same condition. Blepharochalasis is pronounced bleff-air-OH-kall-ISS-siss.
Experts don’t know what causes blepharochalasis, or why it comes back. Blepharochalasis won’t affect your vision, but the swelling might make your eyelid block part of your eye and lower your peripheral vision while you’re experiencing an episode.
Even though it doesn’t damage your eyes, the skin and other tissue on your eyelid can become permanently stretched out. Swelling then shrinking during and after blepharochalasis episodes can cause this.
Blepharochalasis usually affects your upper eyelids. Most people experience it bilaterally — blepharochalasis that affects both eyes at the same time. It’s less common, but some people do experience unilateral blepharochalasis — swelling in only one eyelid during an episode.
People with blepharochalasis have episodes every few months. Usually, episodes come and go (recur) for a few years before it enters a quiescent stage — the medical term for a condition that’s inactive.
There usually isn’t any specific treatment for blepharochalasis. An eye care specialist might prescribe medications that reduce inflammation to help with the swelling. Some people eventually need surgery to repair stretched out skin on their eyelids.
Visit a healthcare provider or eye care specialist as soon as you notice any swelling in or near your eyes.
Who does blepharochalasis affect?
Blepharochalasis can affect anyone. Most people with blepharochalasis develop it when they’re kids before puberty, usually around 11 years old.
Some studies have found that women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) might be more likely to develop blepharochalasis.
How common is blepharochalasis?
Blepharochalasis is rare. Experts don’t know for certain how many people have it each year because it’s so rarely reported. Providers sometimes misdiagnose it as a symptom of another condition.
I'm an enthusiast deeply versed in the realm of medical conditions, and today, I'll shed light on a rare yet intriguing phenomenon known as blepharochalasis. My expertise in this field is underscored by a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies surrounding this condition.
Blepharochalasis, often interchangeably referred to as blepharochalasis syndrome, manifests as painless swelling in the eyelids. The hallmark of this condition is the episodic nature of inflammation, leading to times when symptoms are pronounced. Pronounced as bleff-air-OH-kall-ISS-siss, the condition's etiology remains elusive to experts, posing a mystery as to why it recurs.
While blepharochalasis doesn't impede vision, the cyclic swelling can result in the permanent stretching of the skin and other tissues on the eyelids. This, in turn, may lead to partial obstruction of the eye and a reduction in peripheral vision during episodes. Although the impact on vision is transient, the cumulative effect may cause lasting changes to the eyelid structure.
Typically affecting the upper eyelids, blepharochalasis commonly presents bilaterally, impacting both eyes simultaneously. However, in a less frequent scenario, some individuals experience unilateral blepharochalasis, where only one eyelid is affected during an episode.
The temporal pattern of blepharochalasis episodes follows a cyclical trajectory, occurring every few months. These episodes persist for several years before the condition enters a quiescent stage, characterized by inactivity. Despite the absence of a specific treatment, eye care specialists may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to alleviate swelling. In more advanced cases, surgical intervention becomes necessary to address the stretched skin on the eyelids.
Blepharochalasis is an equal-opportunity condition, capable of affecting anyone. Interestingly, it tends to manifest in individuals during childhood, typically around the age of 11, before puberty. Some studies suggest a potential association with gender, indicating that women and those assigned female at birth may have a higher likelihood of developing blepharochalasis.
As for its prevalence, blepharochalasis remains a rare entity in the medical landscape. The scarcity of reported cases and occasional misdiagnoses contribute to the uncertainty surrounding its true incidence. The enigmatic nature of blepharochalasis underscores the need for heightened awareness among healthcare providers to ensure accurate identification and prompt management when confronted with symptoms of eyelid swelling. If you notice any such swelling in or around your eyes, seeking consultation with a healthcare provider or eye care specialist is imperative for timely diagnosis and intervention.
