What are the symptoms of lacrimal gland inflammation

Many people do not know enough about lacrimal gland inflammation. It is also a relatively common disease. Patients often experience discomfort when crying, which can cause swelling and pain around the eyes. For patients with acute lacrimal gland inflammation, it may even cause pus to flow out and form fistulas, which is quite harmful to patients. Chronic lacrimal gland inflammation can often cause ptosis or eye movement disorders.

1. Acute blepharitis

The outer side of the upper eyelid is red, swollen, painful, and tearing is uncomfortable. The eyelid margin droops in a horizontal "S" shape. The swelling can extend to the temporal and cheek regions. The preauricular lymph nodes are enlarged and tender. A solid mass can be felt inside the eyelid, which is tender and has no adhesion to the orbital wall and eyelid margin. When the eyelids are separated, the superior temporal conjunctiva can be seen to be congested and edematous, and the lacrimal gland tissue is congested and raised with mucoid secretions. May be accompanied by fever, headache, and general malaise.

2. Acute orbital lacrimal gland inflammation

Local symptoms are similar to those of blepharitis, with severe pain and mild conjunctival edema. A mass can be palpated beneath the outer superior orbital rim. The eyeball protrudes inward and downward, with limited outward and upward movement and accompanied by diplopia. In subacute patients, the recovery time is longer, and a small amount of purulent pus flows out from the outer skin of the upper eyelid, forming a fistula.

3. Chronic lacrimal gland inflammation

There are no obvious clinical symptoms of acute dacryoadenitis. A nodule-like object can be felt locally in the lacrimal gland. The pain is not obvious and the gland can be moved. The eyelids may be red and swollen, and there may be fluctuation after abscess formation. When the lacrimal glands are significantly enlarged, ptosis and ocular movement disorders may occur.

Based on the patient's medical history and clinical manifestations, combined with local signs, especially acute lacrimal gland inflammation, the diagnosis is not difficult. However, for chronic dacryoadenitis, it is important to differentiate it from neoplastic diseases of the lacrimal gland.