What is Quincke’s edema of the eye? | Edema of the eye

What is Quincke’s edema of the eye?

Quincke’s edema is also known medically as angioedema or angioneurotic edema. It is an acute swelling of the skin that mainly affects the eyes, lips and tongue. Quincke’s edema is not an independent clinical picture, but a symptom that can be attributed to another cause.

It becomes dangerous, however, when the swelling affects not only the tongue but also the larynx, as this disrupts breathing and can cause patients to suffocate. A characteristic feature of Quincke’s edema of the eye is that the swelling suddenly sets in. Normally, the swelling disappears on its own within a few hours. A distinction is made between the allergic and a non-allergic form of Quincke’s edema.

  • Non-allergic angioedema is often triggered by medication (e.g. antihypertensive drugs such as ACE inhibitors or AT1 blockers).
  • Allergic Quincke’s edema is treated with cortisone and antihistamines, whereas these drugs are ineffective in the non-allergic form.

What causes edema only on the eyelid?

Edema can also only affect the eyelid. Especially the eyelid area is very sensitive. The skin is very thin and interspersed with many vessels.

Very often a hailstone causes a swelling only on the upper eyelid. A hailstone is also called chalazion. This is a blockage of the excretory ducts of certain glands in the eye, the meibomian glands.

These special glands are sebaceous glands, which are located in the edge area of the eyelid. Due to the blockage, the sebum can no longer drain off properly and a hard, painless lump forms – the hailstone. Eyelid rim inflammation (blepharitis) can also lead to swelling only on the eyelid. Usually the inflammation is bacterial and associated with other symptoms such as dry eyes, redness and loss of eyelashes.