Skin of eyelids

Looks like

The thinnest skin of the body, about half a millimetre, loose and almost without fat.

What it does

Folds and unfolds with every blink, closing over the eye to keep it wet and clean.

Keeping it well

Swells easily — with salt, sleep loss or allergy. A lump on the lid margin is usually a blocked gland; warm compresses help.

Related conditions

• Blepharitis & styes
• Cataract
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal abrasion (scratched eye)
• Dermatomyositis and polymyositis
• Drooping eyelid (ptosis)
• Hyperthyroidism & Graves' disease
• Keratitis (corneal infection and ulcer)
• Keratoconus
• Presbyopia
• Retinal detachment
• Retinoblastoma
• Sjögren's disease
• Squint & lazy eye
• Trachoma
• Trichinellosis
• Uveitis & iritis