Thick Purple Line on both Eyelids

[adam_h]

Hi all,
This seemed to occur not that long ago and over a matter of a few days. Nothing seemed to provoke it whatsoever and yet the condition has stayed.

My eyelids generally feel quite heavy and on closer inspection, the lower part of the eyelids have thick purple lines that are made up of purpleish veins. I have no dry/itchy symptoms, just 'heavy' feeling, my eyes are quite sensitive to light.

Does anyone know what the hell I am talking about? huh: I went to an optometrist who said that he could hardly see it and dismissed it as, 'its just your skin'. But I can feel something is wrong, I do not apply anything to the eyelids, apart from water from the shower, so I do not know what provoked this or indeed, what could resolve this.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Adam

P.S. Just to add, I find it somewhat strange how both eyelids developed this condition at the same time. Rather curious indeed!

[Melissa W]

Could it be some sort of allergy as it is allergy season and swelling can be a symptom. Do you experience any itching? Do you take any allergy meds? Cool compresses over your eyes may help.

Melissa

[adam_h]

Hi Melissa,
I do not suffer from any allergies that I am aware of. I take no allergy meds. And I experience no itching. Does this sound anything like a symptom of ocular rosacea? Or is it unrelated? I will try the cool compress, thanks.

[Melissa W]

If it is not itchy it is probably not allergy related. See if the cool compresses help at all and if you could post a pic that may give me more info to work with.

Best wishes,
Melissa

[adam_h]

I have taken two pictures of my eyes closed. However, I used my camera phone to do it, so the quality is not great. Suffice it to say, the purple lines look more pronounced in real life.

http://www.villamartin.co.uk/eyes1.jpg
http://www.villamartin.co.uk/eyes2.jpg

And in reference to the itching, my eyelids are never itchy, however, my eye lashes get quite itchy sometimes, also it seems to be at nighttime, if that has any significance. If the pictures are too poor quality then I can always try and borrow someones digital camera.

Thanks Melissa.

All the best,
Adam

[Melissa W]

Adam,

It just looks like the skin is thin ( as it is on the eyelid) there so the blood vessels are showing through. I wish I knew what else it could be. With regard to the lashes I would suggest doing lid scrubs at night before bed to cleanse the lid margins and see if that helps. I like Theralid or Ocusoft premoistened lid scrubs. I use them to remove my mascara at night.

Keep me posted on how you're doing and if you get any other pics I'll see if there is any other info/ideas I can come up with.

Best wishes,
Melissa

PS Have you tried an antihistamine at bedtime for the itchiness? I like benadryl (makes you sleepy) or chlortrimeton (that's what I use).

[adam_h]

I have taken two more at night time, these are also with the camera phone again i'm afraid.

http://www.villamartin.co.uk/night1.jpg
http://www.villamartin.co.uk/night2.jpg

Thanks,
Adam

[adam_h]

That was good timing!

Is it not really strange that it happened to both eyelids at the same time? And, moreover, it only seems to effect nearer the eye lashes, hence the purple line. I have never seen anything like it.

I have heard mites can cause itchy eye lashes and probably inflammation. Could this be the cause? Regarding the itching, it is only slight itching, nothing aggrevating. My eyes just feel a bit heavy and very sensitive to light. Is it anything to do with rosacea? Ocular rosacea?

Thanks

[Melissa W]

Ocular rosacea usually makes your eyes drier and more sensitive to light. So your sensitivity to light can definitely be caused by ocular rosacea. It may be disrupting your tear film and causing that sensitivity to lights(photophobia).

It can also cause blepharitis (bacteria excess and exudates at the lid margin) that may clog lid glands causing styes and chalazions.
In more severe cases ocular rosacea can cause corneal scarring due to excessive dryness.
I am afraid I don't know anything about how it affects the thinness of the lids and hence the blood vessels showing through more prominently.

Do you ever get styes or a foreign body sensation in your eyes?

Melissa

[adam_h]

I do not get styes exactly but I do get something. Maybe I can explain by showing you this picture I found on the internet:

http://www.eye-care-services.com/uploads/stye.jpg

I get a small transparent looking spot sometimes just below the eyelashes where that spot is on that picture. However, it is not puss filled, or certainly doesn't look it, and I have no inflammation around it. When I have one of these it sometimes hurts a bit when I blink but not too much. They usually leave in a day or max 2-3 days. Any idea??

[Melissa W]

That is a stye. Apply warm compresses to it as often as possible to open it up and drain it.

[adam_h]

Thanks for your help Melissa.

[Melissa W]

You're very welcome Adam and let me know how you are doing.

[hopeful]

Adam,
I have the same problem. my eyelids developed the same purple line recently (about a month ago) and are thicker than usual. they were slightly swollen first, now every morning when I get up, the eyelids are swollen and it goes somewhat down during the day. it has been over a month now and I've started noticing a slight twitch in my eyelids. i'm thinking whatever caused the eyelids to swell up, added to the inflammation that is causing the twitch. Do you have rosacea?
I am having an appointment for a Vbeam treatment on my face tomorrow (3rd time) and I will ask my doc about my eyes and see if he can prescribe some ointment or antibiotics. I will let you know how it goes. Ally

[adam_h]

Hi Ally,

Yeah please do. I would be very interested to hear what they have to say. To answer your question, yes, I have Rosacea, also I seem to have sem derm and acne vulgaris. For a more detailed explanation (and exploration!) of my condition, you are welcome to read http://www.rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosacea_Forum/showthread.php?t=14904 , that is, if you can be bothered, it is rather long!

All the best,
Adam

[hopeful]

Ok, I've had my third Vbeam today. it turned out to be the last one, too, according to the doc. I am so disappointed :( It did take care of the broken veins, but diffused redness did not go anywhere. He said it is not treatable but should be controlled by applying sun block, watching flushing triggers etc.... anyways, I touched base with him about the eyes and he said it did not look like ocular rosacea, because in those cases the eye balls are extremely red, which in my case weren't (according to him). he suggested it could be allergies related (seems to be the most common reason used when they dont have an answer). the good news is, he will give me a referral to see an ophthalmologist. I am so depressed today. I expected to see at least some good results and I feel like I'm really exactly where I was three months ago. however now, I have eye problem added to the list!
I will keep you updated on my ophthalmologist visit. more than likely it will be the same reaction. Ally

[hopeful]

P.S. If you find out anything before I get to see the eye doc, let me know. Good luck! Ally

[Melissa W]

Ally,
I am sorry your appt did not go as you had hoped.

It seems to me that your doctor cannot be right about the diffuse redness as many people here do get successful treatment for that. Have you considered another opinion? Also, Rob (boyandhisdog) has read where pulse stacking VBeam treatments are helpful for diffuse redness so you may want to ask your doctor about that. Also, some people have had success with KTP-532 for their diffuse redness.

Check out this thread in the laser section:
http://www.rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosacea_Forum/showthread.php?t=14910

You might find it helpful.

Best wishes,
Melissa

[boyandhisdog]

Ally,
I have read no such thing.shock: Melissa is a compulsive liar!laugh:
Honestly, I wish I were more of an expert. I have read a study or two that rec. pulse stacking but honestly, my focus has always been on visible veins rather than background redness. So, frankly, when I read about erythema, often it goes in one ear and out the other. I am jealous you have had such great resolution of broken veins as many people (including myself) struggle with this problem as well.
Sorry, I couldn't be of more help. I am trying to send Melissa all of my research on the pulse stacking so hopefully, she will be our resident expert on that soon enough.
That said, from my limited research on background redness, I am somewhat of the mind that IPL is the way to go for that.
Yours,
Rob

[hopeful]

Melissa,
Thank you for your support. I definitely need it. Today is my down day after the treatment. Last night I thought that this time I actually got off easy- no bruises, not over extensively red...almost in a good shape to go to work thumbs: when I got up in the morning, when I looked in a mirror, Gee, was I happy that I took a day off! shock: The areas under my eyes were so swollen that every time I tried to look down, the swelling was in the way. Do you get this kind of reaction to the laser?
As far as diffused redness goes, you are right, quite a few people on this forum said they had success treating it. It looks like I may try some different options, but its so hard to convince yourself to go through this again if there is little motivation because of the previous minimal results, if you know what I mean? You think there is a chance of damaging the skin and underlying tissue if I go through another session of a different laser in such short period of time?
Thank you for the links, a lot of helpful information! Ally

[hopeful]

Rob,
It's OK to be modest wink1: I found that your replies were always very informative and often objective. I'm not surprised that Melissa quoted you :lol: dont be jealous, having broken veins removed did not help me much with the overall appearance. I'd rather have that than diffused redness! I remember I read a thread which was like a survey of rosacea issue: how it happened, when it happened, what do you do about it. something like that. I wonder if we could start a sticky when people share their experience on their laser/IPL procedures, degree of success, what issues they hoped to resolve, where they had it done, side effects. It will be nice to see the statistic and get some ideas. If it had already been done, where can I find it? Ally

[Melissa W]

Hi Ally,

After VBeam I am always very very red and swollen for a number of days and I was quite distressed after the very first Vbeam as my derm said I would have little to no downtime which was not the case. After my next few Vbeams I still always got worried when I became red and swollen thinking I would have permanent damage but I became less worried after each treatment proved helpful without damage. But it takes a while after each treatment to notice improvement and it tends to be cumulative. It does get easier Ally.

I definitely get the eye swelling thing too. I can't even look down because it gets in the way for the first few days after Vbeam.

I would wait for a few months before trying another treatment to give your skin time to fully heal. IPL(as Rob suggested) and KTP-532 are supposed to be good for diffuse redness as well as VBeam (non-bruising with stacked pulsing) but I do believe many treatments are necessary for diffuse redness. Don't give up hope because patience and persistence is key. I think gentler is better with more treatments over a longer period of time.

In the meantime sleep slightly elevated for minimizing the swelling and you may find taking an antihistamine helpful.

Big hugs,
Melissa

[boyandhisdog]

Ally,
Very kind words. I am grateful.blush:
It's funny, here I work on the borken veins- don't mind the redness.
You, got rid of the veins- want to be rid of the redness.
We make a fine pair.laugh:
As far as your requests for a sticky/survey. I am not aware of any such thing on this site.
I will have to see what I can do.
Have a nice weekend.
Rob

[adam_h]

Hi Ally,

Unfortunately I know next to nothing about Vbeam treatments or laser treatments. But if I find out anything more that would be of any use, I will let you know as soon as I find out.

Speak soon,
Adam

[hopeful]

Melissa,
It is very comforting to know that other people have similar reaction. When I told my doc that last time I remained swollen for over a week, he seemed to be worried and said that it usually was supposed to last only for a day or two. I guess it is different for people and the docs may not always collect the feedback or just chose not to pay attention to it roll:
I have had 3 Vbeams so far, and you were right, this time after swelling subsided, my diffused redness seemed to be not as prominent as usual. I'd like to have 4 procedures, but the derm said 3 would be sufficient. I do believe that I would benefit from the 4th one, and as far as I have read here on the forum, it is relatively safe to have 4 procedures. How do you think I should approach my doc so he doesnt feel that I'm being pushy? Ally

[Melissa W]

Hi Ally,
I would wait and see how you do after the next few procedures.
My doctor never even mentions how many more I need LOL She just keeps telling me to come back in 8 weeks or so. It would be great to have her tell me I am all done laugh:

I would take it one day at a time and if you need another treatment your doctor will tell you or you can aks him about it. No need to jump ahead that much yet.
I am so glad you are doing better! thumbs:

Best wishes for continued success!
Melissa

[hopeful]

Rob,
I am sure we would stand out from the crowd laugh: You know what, I've had rosacea for a year now and I dont know if I am finally out of the denial stage, but I seem to be getting immune to how I look and how others may perceive me. I have noticed that I am looking less in the mirror than I am used too, which my husband is pretty happy about :lol: The other day I went for a walk in the park with some co-workers still having huge swollen bags under my eyes after Vbeam. I could care less! Melissa was right, it does get easier with time. I think, there is one positive side to the rosacea issue: it teaches how not to focus on appearance but be happy that it is not as bad as it could have been thumbs:

[hopeful]

Adam,
You are very lucky that you dont have to deal with Vbeam or any other laser procedures!!! Good for you! I wish you good luck with your eyes and I promise I will let you know if I find out anything about that! Ally