Tumors and Cancers
Sometimes, different types of cancers and tumors may cause eyelid swelling. Eyelid cancers, whether basal or squamous cell carcinoma, can cause swelling and thickening of the lower eyelid, the inner corner of the eye, the upper lids, or the outer corner of the eyes.
Other eye problems, including swelling of the eyelids, can stem from the spread of acute myelogenous leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—a type of cancer that affects the blood and the bone marrow. It causes unusual bleeding and infection, thanks to the abnormal mutations in the DNA.
In other cases, chemotherapy and targeted cancer drugs can also affect the eyes, resulting in epiphora or excessive tearing. The excessive tearing sometimes causes blockage in the eye’s drainage system, resulting in swelling of nearby tissues.
Aside from cancer, brain tumors, though relatively rare, may also cause swollen eyelids. When a brain tumor presses on the optic nerves, the pressure causes the optic disc and the surrounding eye area to swell. It may also cause muscle loss and changes in vision, fleeting or otherwise.
