DERMATOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ITCHY RED EYELIDS

Distinguishing the cause of itching, red eyelids is often difficult. P ruritic, inflamed eyelids can reflect various etiologies and are a com mon clinical presentation to the office of a dermatologist or ophthalm ologist. In this article, five of the more common causes of eyelid der matitis (atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, ros acea, seborrhea, and psoriasis) are reviewed in detail, with particula r emphasis on the ocular and periocular features. Clinical clues, hist orical features, and patch testing in cases of eczematous eyelid derma titis aid in differential diagnosis. In addition, pathogenesis and tre atment are reviewed.