Chronic eyelid and ocular itch.

Chronic eyelid and ocular itch affect many patients seeking dermatologic or ophthalmologic care and have a high burden on patient quality of life. Clinicians should consider the broad range of possible diagnoses when approaching the patient with itch of the eyes or eyelids lasting more than 6 weeks. Allergic conjunctivitis and allergic contact dermatitis are the most common causes of chronic itch of the eyes and eyelids, respectively. Other diagnoses to consider include atopic dermatitis, xerosis, neurogenic itch, dry eye syndrome, seborrheic dermatitis, blepharitis, rosacea, lichen simplex chronicus, and papulosquamous disorders. If no organic cause can be elucidated, diagnoses of psychogenic pruritus or chronic pruritus of unknown origin may be considered. Herein, we discuss the possible etiologies of chronic eyelid and ocular itch inclusive of clinical presentation, diagnostic considerations, and current therapies.