What are the treatment options for blepharochalasis in a younger adult?

Doctor's Answers 2

Blepharochalasis is a rare condition of recurrent eyelid swelling with no known cause. Certain causes of eyelid swelling like thyroid problems should be ruled out as part of the initial investigation for this condition.

Since the cause is unknown and it is rare, there is no generally agreed treatment proven to be safe and effective. Some treatments that have been tried (a bit experimentally) include the antibiotic Doxycycline and the antiglaucoma medication Diamox/acetazolamide.

Often the condition can cause thinning and drooping of the eyelid skin/eyelid after a long period of time. As and when the condition does not recur so often (e.g. after being quiescent for a year or so), surgery to correct eyelid/eyelid skin drooping can be considered. However, bear in mind that surgery does nothing to treat the blepharochalasis, so if the swelling keeps recurring, the eyelid/eyelid skin can start to droop again despite surgery.

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Dr E-Shawn Goh

Ophthalmologist

It's important to exclude a secondary cause for blepharochalasis, including blepharochalasis syndrome (intermittent swelling, thinning and wrinkling of the upper lid skin). You should see your attending Ophthalmologist who can perform some blood tests (including Complement factor 3, 4, CH50) to exclude this. Other masquerade syndromes including orbital tumours, prolapsed orbital fat etc. may be excluded.

Severe cases may benefit from surgery to remove the excess upper lid skin.

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