How to treat and prevent eye swelling, Eye swelling is a swelling of the tissues surrounding the eye, resulting from fluid buildup in the connective tissues, particularly the eyelids. This leads to swelling of the lower or upper eyelid, or both.
Eyelid swelling can be caused by several factors, including fluid retention, lack of sleep, stress, or allergies. Symptoms include pain, redness, and swelling. It's important to treat it to prevent further eye damage.
Symptoms of Eye Swelling
Common symptoms of eye swelling include:
- Redness of the eyelid.
- Tearful eyes.
- Itching and discharge from the eyes.
- Dry eyes.
- Blurred vision.
- A feeling of something being stuck in the eye.
- Difficulty moving the pupil.
What are the causes of eye swelling
A person can experience eyelid swelling due to several reasons, including:
- Crying can cause swelling because the tear drainage system is unable to handle the excessive tears produced by the lacrimal gland.
- Thyroid disorders, such as Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland, can cause inflammation and swelling of the eye.
- Allergies are a common problem affecting the eye, including nasal, dust, and food allergies.
- A stye, which occurs due to an infection in the eyelash follicle or tear gland, resulting in a pus-filled bump on the eye.
- Injuries to the eye can cause blood to collect under the affected area, leading to swelling and discoloration of the skin.
- Conjunctivitis, a common condition during cold and flu season, is caused by viral or bacterial infections.
- Severe fatigue, often accompanied by dark circles under the eyes, especially with lack of sleep and staying up late.
- A chalazion, a cyst caused by a blockage of the meibomian glands.
Treatment for Swollen Eyes
Treatment for swollen eyes depends on the severity of the symptoms and the underlying cause. A specialist will prescribe antihistamine eye drops to alleviate swelling, and antibiotic, antiviral, and corticosteroid eye drops in severe cases.
Other medications may be prescribed depending on the cause of the swelling, especially if it's due to allergies or infections. Some cases may require surgical intervention to treat an internal eye condition, such as a tumor that needs to be removed or a blocked gland.
Medications that Treat Swollen Eyes
- Tobradex eye drops
- Tobrex eye drops
- Gatipramine eye drops
- Orchapred eye drops
- Zymar eye drops
- Ofloxacin eye drops
- Orchapred eye drops
- Nevanac eye drops
How is swollen eye diagnosed
A doctor's diagnosis depends on identifying the cause of the swelling. This involves considering accompanying symptoms and conducting several tests to rule out underlying conditions, such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels, liver and kidney function tests, and in some cases, a CT scan.
Ways to Prevent Eye Swelling
Several methods can be followed to prevent eye swelling, including:
- Maintaining good eye hygiene to protect against inflammation and infection.
- Reducing eye strain and avoiding excessive use of cosmetics.
- Reducing contact lens use, which can increase inflammation.
- Avoiding rubbing the eyes, as this increases the risk of infection, especially if your hands are contaminated.
Home Remedies for Eye Swelling
- Applying cold compresses or cool tea bags to the eyes for 15 minutes to reduce swelling.
- Getting enough sleep and keeping your head elevated while sleeping to minimize swelling.
- Avoiding salty foods, which increase fluid retention.
- Avoiding allergens and irritants such as pollen or cosmetics.
Article Summary
Eye swelling is defined as swelling of the tissues surrounding the eye due to fluid accumulation in the connective tissues, particularly the eyelids. This results in enlargement and swelling of the lower or upper eyelid, or both.
Treatment depends on the cause. If the swelling is caused by an allergic reaction, the doctor may prescribe antihistamines. In severe cases, corticosteroid eye drops may be prescribed, along with lubricating eye drops to soothe irritation.