Diseases of the eyelids and pathologies related to the tear ducts
Eyelid diseases
Eyelid diseases can be inflammatory, infectious, tumoral or related to functional abnormalities. Here are the main pathologies:
Inflammations and infections
✅ Blepharitis: Chronic inflammation of the eyelid margin, often due to bacterial overgrowth or dry eyes. Symptoms: redness, itching, crusting on waking.
✅ Stye: Bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle, causing painful swelling and a small pustule.
✅ Chalazion: Inflammation of a Meibomian gland (sebaceous gland) resulting in a painless but annoying cyst.
Position and movement anomalies
✅ Ptosis: Sagging of the upper eyelid, caused by a muscular or nervous problem.
✅ Entropion: Inward curling of the eyelid, causing rubbing and irritation.
✅ Ectropion: outward relaxation of the eyelid, exposing the conjunctiva and promoting infection.
✅ Blepharospasm: excessive involuntary blinking of the eyelids, often of neurological origin.
Tumor diseases
✅ Cysts and papillomas: Small benign growths on the eyelid.
✅ Basal cell carcinoma: the most common malignant tumor, appearing as a painless, persistent lesion.
✅ Melanoma: A rarer but aggressive cancer requiring rapid treatment.
Other pathologies
✅ Xanthelasma: small yellowish patches on the eyelids, linked to excess cholesterol.
✅ Dermatochalasis: sagging skin of the upper eyelids, common with age, which can impair vision.
Tear ducts
What is it?
The tear ducts are the anatomical structures responsible for the drainage of tears from the eye to the nasal cavity. They play an essential role in eliminating tears and protecting the ocular surface.
Anatomy of the lacrimal duct
They include several structures:
Lacrimal gland: Located in the upper outer corner of the orbit, it produces the majority of tears.
Tear points: Small openings on the inner edge of each eyelid (upper and lower), where tears are collected.
Tear ducts: Small ducts that transport tears from the lacrimal points to the lacrimal sac.
Tear sac: A pocket in the inner corner of the eye that collects tears before they enter the nasolacrimal duct.
Conduit lacrymo-nasal: A channel that carries tears from the lacrimal sac to the nasal cavity, explaining why our noses run when we cry.
Pathologies associated with the lacrimal duct
- Congenital obstruction of the lacrimal duct (common in infants)
- Dacryocystitis (infection of the lacrimal sac)
- Stenosis of the lacrimal duct (narrowing or obstruction due to age or repeated infections)
- Dry eye syndrome (poor drainage or insufficient tear production)