Protecting Your Skin and Vision: Understanding Psoriasis Around the Eyes

Featured Article, Psoriasis

Psoriasis Around the Eyes in McKinney TX Area

At Bluebonnet Dermatology, Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Huayi Zhang frequently treats patients with psoriasis. Often, this autoimmune condition manifests as plaques on the scalp, knees, back, and elbows. However, these thick, scaly areas of discoloration can also affect the delicate areas around the eyes. Such ocular involvement often requires unique interventions and approaches. Whatever your needs, you can rely on our experienced McKinney, Texas team to accurately diagnose and effectively manage the appearance, frequency, and severity of psoriasis flare-ups.

How do I know it’s psoriasis and not something else?

Psoriasis of the eyes (and elsewhere) shares many symptoms with other skin conditions, like eczema. For treatment to be effective, understanding the true nature and source of these symptoms is essential. Dr. Zhang has advanced training and extensive experience treating various dermatological conditions. She deeply understands the nuances of these conditions and enhances her expertise with state-of-the-art technologies. You can trust her to provide an accurate diagnosis, ruling out conditions with similar manifestations, to pinpoint the cause of your concerning and disruptive symptoms.

Is there anything specific about psoriasis that I should be aware of?

There are some telltale signs. Psoriasis is marked by the presence of thick, scaly patches on the skin, regardless of their location. These patches are called “plaques.” The plaques can appear in varied colors, depending on your skin tone. For instance, in lighter skin tones, the scales may look silvery-white. Plaques may appear more grayish among patients with more melanated skin. Due to the delicate nature and function of the eyes, psoriasis that affects this area can have other health implications that may not be associated with psoriasis on the knees or elbows.

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How does it affect my eyes?

Symptoms of eye-oriented psoriasis include pain with eyelid movement, irritation caused by the plaques pushing the lids inward, and vision problems. Your eyesight may be blurry, and you may experience chronic dry eye. Untreated psoriasis can also lead to complications such as madarosis, which is the loss of eyelashes. The lower eyelids may sag or droop and affected eyes may be at increased risk of uveitis, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and other ocular conditions contributing to eye damage and vision loss.

How do you treat eye-area psoriasis?

Psoriasis of the eye requires careful treatment because the skin underneath the eye is notoriously delicate. It can be easily irritated and scarred. As needed, Dr. Zhang takes a multi-disciplinary approach that may involve your eye care specialist (optometrist and/or ophthalmologist). Depending on factors such as the severity of your symptoms, comorbidities, and medications you are currently taking, she may prescribe topical, oral, or injectable medications. She can also advise on other products to reduce inflammation, such as lotions, creams, and gels.

As a specialty practice, Bluebonnet Dermatology offers a variety of therapies that can be administered from our office in McKinney, TX. Using one or a combination of these interventions, Dr. Zhang can alleviate short-term discomfort and slow the progression of the disease in the long term. We can protect your skin and eyes, enhancing your quality of life and well-being—call (469) 663-8838 to request your consultation today.

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Dr. Huayi Zhang

Dr. Huayi Zhang is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of skin cancers and other dermatological conditions across all skin types. Her educational journey includes a BA in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, an MS in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and a medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, where she also completed her dermatology residency as Chief Resident.

Dr. Zhang is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and an active member of several medical associations. She is dedicated to advancing patient care through research, education, and compassionate treatment.

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