Your skin and eyes may seem like unrelated parts of your body, but many skin conditions can directly or indirectly impact your eyes. When skin disease affects areas around the eyes, it can lead to discomfort, inflammation, and visual disturbances. At Advanced Eye Surgeons, Dr. Gupta and Dr. Pereira want you to understand how your skin’s health can influence your eye health and what you can do to manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
The Relationship Between Your Skin and Eyes
Your skin is your body’s largest organ and serves as a barrier to external irritants. The skin around your eyes is especially thin and sensitive, making it more prone to irritation and inflammation, particularly when affected by skin disorders.
Inflammatory skin conditions often extend to the eyelids or tear ducts, leading to redness, dryness, itching, or even blurred vision. Left untreated, these symptoms can impact your vision quality and eye health.
What Skin Conditions Can Affect Your Eyes
Several skin conditions can trigger eye symptoms, especially when patches of skin, scaly patches, or itchy skin occur around the eyelids or affected area near the eyes. These conditions often involve chronic inflammation, an overactive immune system, or an allergic reaction:
Ocular Rosacea
Rosacea is a common type of skin condition that often affects the face, but it can also inflame the eyes and eyelids. Symptoms may include redness, burning, itching, watery eyes, visible blood vessels, and sensitivity to light. The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors may include family history, certain foods, and environmental irritants.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This common type of dermatitis, often linked with dandruff and cradle cap in infants, can affect the scalp and face. It causes flaky patches, dead cells, scaly skin, and itchy or cracked skin. When seborrheic dermatitis affects the eyelids, it often looks like a rash, swelling, or redness around the eyes.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema, is an inflammatory condition that can affect the eyelids, neck, and other areas. It often leads to itchy skin, rash, and cracked skin. Flare-ups may be triggered by allergens, certain foods, weather, or stress. Atopic dermatitis can also cause clear fluid to ooze from the affected skin during flare-ups.
Psoriasis
While better known for affecting elbows, knees, and scalp, psoriasis impacts the eyes when patches of skin develop around the eyelids. These scaly patches can cause inflammation, discomfort, and even interfere with blinking. Like other conditions, family history and an overactive immune system are key risk factors.
Contact Dermatitis
Often resulting from exposure to allergens or irritants, contact dermatitis can affect the sensitive skin around the eyes. This may happen due to makeup, skincare products, or even metals in glasses. The condition is not contagious but can become infected if scratched excessively.
Ocular Symptoms of Skin Conditions
Common ocular symptoms associated with skin diseases include:
- Redness or swelling of the eyelids
- Dry, flaky patches around the eyes
- Itching, burning, or tearing
- Light sensitivity
- Crusting or clear fluid discharge
- Styes or skin tags near the lash line
These symptoms can make daily activities uncomfortable and may worsen without proper care.
Seeking Treatment
If you notice recurring itchy, dry, or irritated skin around your eyes, it’s important to see a doctor or professional provider who is familiar with the ocular manifestations of skin conditions. Left untreated, these symptoms may lead to infection, blurred vision, or chronic inflammation. Treatment options often include topical creams or medications prescribed by your doctor to reduce inflammation and soothe the affected skin.
At Advanced Eye Surgeons, our team understands the close link between skin and eye health. If you’re struggling with dermatitis, rosacea, psoriasis, or another skin condition, we can help assess how it’s affecting your eyes and tailor treatment to keep your vision clear. Schedule a consultation or contact us to learn more about how we can help you manage your skin and eye health.
