Treatment for psoriasis around your eyes may require special attention because the area is sensitive. Creams, gels, phototherapy, and oral medications are some available treatment options.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes thick, scaly skin plaques to develop.

Symptoms most commonly affect your scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back. However, in rare cases, psoriasis may affect the delicate skin around your eyes.

Psoriasis around your eyes can be treated, but it requires special attention from a doctor. The tissues in this sensitive area are delicate. They can be easily irritated and scarred.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for psoriasis around the eyes.

Psoriasis around your eyes may cause dry, itchy skin plaques similar to those that affect other body areas. These may look different depending on your skin tone. For example:

  • Light skin tones: Psoriasis may be pink or red, with silvery-white scales.
  • Medium skin tones: Psoriasis may appear salmon-colored, with silvery-white scales.
  • Dark skin tones: Psoriasis may be violet- or brown-colored, with grayish scales.

Psoriasis on your eyelids and around your eyes may affect your daily life. The buildup of skin cells may lead to patches so large you have difficulty closing and opening your eyelids.

Other symptoms of psoriasis around the eyes include:

  • red, scaly growths in the area
  • dry, cracked skin that might bleed
  • vision problems, such as blurry vision and dry eyes
  • pain when moving your eyelids
  • eyelashes rubbing against the orbit of the eye because scales push the eyelid inward

Psoriasis around the eyes may also lead to other eye problems, such as:

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. Your immune system makes skin cells too quickly, which causes the buildup of skin plaques.

The exact cause of psoriasis isn’t known, but researchers believe it’s caused by a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and a weakened immune system.

Some risk factors and triggers may also increase your chance of developing psoriasis on your eyelids, including:

Is it contagious?

Psoriasis is not contagious, which means it can’t be transmitted from one person to another.

In most cases, a healthcare professional can diagnose psoriasis by performing a physical examination and asking you about your medical history. This may include questions about:

  • the duration and severity of your symptoms
  • any underlying conditions you may have
  • any medications you may be taking

If the doctor can’t provide a diagnosis, they may order a skin biopsy to help them make an accurate diagnosis.

In some cases, a doctor may refer you to an eye specialist, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They may perform eye examination tests like a sit lamp test to see how your symptoms may be affecting your eyes.

Treatment for psoriasis around your eyes will depend on several factors, such as:

  • the severity of your symptoms
  • whether you have other underlying health conditions
  • whether you’re taking medications

Your treatment plan will aim to help relieve your symptoms, reduce inflammation, and slow the progression of the disease. This may include:

It’s important to work with a healthcare professional before trying any new medications, changing your dosage, or stopping any medications.

Not all medications for psoriasis are safe to use on the delicate skin around your eyes. Some medications may even increase your chance of developing eye complications, such as glaucoma and cataracts.

Can I treat psoriasis on the eyelids at home?

Some at-home remedies for psoriasis may help relieve symptoms around your eyes. Some examples may include:

However, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional before trying at-home remedies. There is little evidence to support their benefits, and they could sometimes cause psoriasis flare-ups.

If left untreated, psoriasis may affect more than just your skin.

Research suggests that psoriasis may lead to several eye complications, including:

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that may also affect the eyelids.

Sometimes, it can be hard to differentiate between psoriasis and eczema around the eyes because symptoms could be similar. For example, they may both cause dry, itchy, and flaky skin.

However, psoriasis typically causes thick, raised skin plaques with prominent borders. According to the National Eczema Society, eczema is more likely to affect the margins of your eyelids and cause red, swollen eyes.

Can psoriasis on the eyelids be cured?

There’s no cure for psoriasis. However, treatments could help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of psoriasis around your eyelids.

When should I see my doctor?

See a healthcare professional if your symptoms don’t clear up with at-home and OTC remedies within a few days or if your symptoms progressively worsen. A doctor could help develop a treatment plan for you.

How long after treatment until I feel better?

The amount of time for psoriasis treatment to work will vary depending on several factors, such as the type of treatment and the severity of your symptoms. For example, some topical corticosteroids may help improve symptoms within 1–2 weeks, while phototherapy may require several sessions over multiple weeks to have effects.

Treatment is available to help relieve psoriasis symptoms around the eyes.

Work with a doctor or another healthcare professional to find a treatment plan that eases your symptoms.

If your body stops responding to the treatments you’re using, a doctor may need to adjust your treatment. If this occurs, be sure to follow your new treatment plan closely. The treatment changes may help you continue to reduce your flare-ups of psoriasis.