Eyelid Q&A: Miss Camille Yvon

Q1. How do you know if droopy eyelids are a medical problem or just ageing?   

A. Some drooping of the eyelid is a normal part of aging. The skin elasticity can weaken over time as well as the eyelid muscles. Now there are some medical concerns that we need to look out for. For example, if you find yourself tilting your head backwards or raising your brows to see, then that means it may be obstructing your vision. Other warning signs would be that if one eyelid is a lot lower compared to the other one, if it is associated with any double vision, pain or headaches, or if it's appeared suddenly or worsened suddenly, then I would highly recommend you to get the eyelids checked. The good news is for the drooping of the lids, whether it's a cosmetic problem or affecting your vision, then there is a highly, successful, surgery that can be done.

Q2. What are the warning signs that an eyelid lump of cyst should be checked by a specialist? 

A. Most lumps around the eyelids are harmless, cysts and styes tend to resolve on their own. But things to look out for would be if the lesion has been there for four to six weeks or more and hasn't gone away, if it's gradually getting bigger, if you can see some bleeding or crustiness, any scabbing or weeping. Other signs to look out for would be any skin changes, so if it looks very pearly, white, shiny, if it's got some vessels overlying it, if you find that the eyelid is distorted or if you've lost some lashes, then please get it checked. An important condition that we look out for is called basal cell carcinoma, and it's the most common type of skin cancer around the eye. Reassuringly, it is highly treatable when caught early, so if any doubt, get it checked. So, in most cases these conditions can be treated, effectively and often permanently.

Q3. Can watery eyes be permanently fixed? 

A. For watery eyes, there are lots of causes. It can be due to a blocked tear drainage or duct. Sometimes it's because the eyelid is not in the right position, and so the tears are not draining properly. And finally, it can also be caused by a very dry eye, and the body overproduces tears, which is what we refer to as reflex tearing. So, depending on the cause, we can always offer some nonsurgical and surgical options that can definitely help with your symptoms.

Q4. Can conditions like eyelids turning inwards/outwards be permanently fixed? 

A. An in-turning of the lid, which is called an entropion, and can cause the lashes to rub on the front of the eye and also cause some damage of the oculi, the front surface of the eye. A lid turning outwards, which is what we call an ectropion, can also give you a very sore and exposed eye. But these conditions can be treated normally effectively with an operation done as a day case. So it's definitely worth getting them checked. We always have an honest conversation about realistic expectations, but the majority of these conditions can be fixed and have a real and lasting improvement.