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Sarcoidosis and swollen eyelids
I have recently started taking Prednisolone for sarcoidosis. My question is about swelling of my eyelids - they now constantly look very puffy. The swelling is worse on waking, but at no time does it disappear. Is it possible that this is simply the steroids?
Sarcoidosis is a rare disease in which tissues throughout the body become inflamed. It mainly affects young adults, and usually involves the lungs, skin, eyes (misty vision and red eyes), liver and/or lymph nodes.
Symptoms vary and can include tiredness, fever, weight loss, aches and pains, sore eyes and arthritis. Symptoms improve within six months to two years in over two-thirds of patients where the disease is limited to lymph nodes in the chest, and in around a half of patients whose lungs are involved as well.
In nine out of ten cases, recovery occurs within two years and no treatment is required. If symptoms are more severe - as in your case - corticosteroid drugs will help to damp down the disease.
As your eyes are swelling, do tell your doctor as soon as possible so he can examine you and try to work out the cause. Steroids can cause certain eye side effects, but as sarcoidosis can affect the eyes too, it is important to find out exactly what is going on.
The Sarcoidosis and Interstitial Lung Association can be contacted at www.sarcoidosis.org.uk
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