Blepharochalasis is an

inflammation Inflammation (from ) is part of the biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. The five cardinal signs are heat, pain, redness, swelling, and loss of function (Latin ''calor'', '' ...

of the

eyelid An eyelid ( ) is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid, exposing the cornea to the outside, giving vision. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily. "Palpebral ...

that is characterized by exacerbations and remissions of eyelid

edema Edema (American English), also spelled oedema (British English), and also known as fluid retention, swelling, dropsy and hydropsy, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue (biology), tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. S ...

, which results in a stretching and subsequent

atrophy Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Causes of atrophy include mutations (which can destroy the gene to build up the organ), malnutrition, poor nourishment, poor circulatory system, circulation, loss of hormone, ...

of the eyelid tissue, leading to the formation of redundant folds over the lid margins. It typically affects only the upper eyelids, and may be unilateral as well as bilateral.James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). ''Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology''. (10th ed.). Saunders. Page 515. .

Signs and symptoms

Recurrent episodes of eyelid edema can be observed with spontaneous resolution. After multiple episodes the eyelid looses elasticity, clinically represented as eyelid drooping, wrinkled eyelid skin and in severe conditions, as ptosis. The edema episode starts suddenly but it is painless. Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology, ''A Systematic Approach,'' 9th edition ISBN: 978-0-7020-7711-1

Causes

Recurrent eyelid edema and inflammation are usually allergic or immune-mediated in origin. The exact etiology underlying immune system dysregulation and vascular issues causing the episodes are not yet fully understood (idiopathic). Hormonal changes are thought to contribute the blepharochalasis, which particularly occur in early adulthood (puberty).

Pathophysiology

Diagnosis

Treatment

Epidemiology

References

External links

{{Eye pathology Abnormalities of dermal fibrous and elastic tissue Disorders of eyelid, lacrimal system and orbit