Causes of Swollen Eyes: What You Need to Know

A swollen eye is a common condition. It may be caused due to underlying diseases and infections.

Swollen eyes can be annoying and uncomfortable, making it difficult to perform daily activities. 

Several factors, such as lack of sleep or allergies, may cause it.

Usually, the swelling goes within a day. But if swelling last longer, it is important to consult your doctor regarding inflammation.

“Any swelling that lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours should send you to an eye care professional because there are times it can be something severe that can blind you.”

Annapurna Singh, MD, Cleveland Clinic

It’s important to understand the causes to diagnose and treat the issue properly. 

In this article, we will discuss the various causes of swollen eyes.

Causes of swollen eyes:

There are various reasons why you may see swelling in your eyes.

Some of the reasons are:

Pink Eye

It is also known as Conjunctivitis. Pink Eye is a common infection during cold and flu season.

Viruses, bacteria, allergens, or other irritants often cause it.

It can also cause inflammation of your eyelids and eye as a symptom.

Stye

It is an infection in the eyelash follicle or tear gland.

Styes appear as tender red pimples at the edge of your eyelids, which causes swelling.

Allergies

This eye swelling can be due to the body’s reaction to different food, chemicals, or other allergens. 

This is a very common type of problem. Allergies can be treated using anti-allergen medicine.

Chalazion

Chalazion is caused because of the blockage of oil glands. 

It is harmless and can be seen as a small bump on the eyelid, which causes swollen eyes.

Orbital Cellulitis

It is an infection of the soft tissues of the eye socket behind the orbital septum (thin tissue dividing the eyelid from the eye socket).

It occurs more often in children than adults. It causes painful inflammation and redness of your eyelid and eye.

Graves Disease

Graves disease is also known as thyroid eye disease.

It is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones.

Inflammation of the eyes is a symptom of Graves disease.

Eye Cancer

Eye cancer can also sometimes cause swelling of the eye. It also leads to blurry vision and loss of vision.

You can also see some spots slowly moving in your field of vision.

Trauma injuries

A suddenly forced strike can lead to compression and retraction of the eye.

It causes blood to collect under the damaged area. This causes swelling and discoloration of your eye.

How to get rid of a swollen eye

In most cases, swelling around the eye goes away within a few days.

Some remedies for swollen eyes to reduce swelling a little faster are

Try cool compresses

Wet a cloth under cold running water and place the water-soaked washcloth across your eyes.

Try this activity twice or thrice a day to relieve the swollen eye.

Wash or rinse

Wash your eyes with clean water if any discharge comes from the eye.

Cold water is more soothing and can relax your eyes in case of any allergy.

Also Read: Sometimes, these methods are not enough. Your doctor may recommend some medications. To learn about these medications, read our article “Medications for Swollen Eye: A Guide to Rely“.

Avoid frequent touching

You must avoid rubbing and unnecessary contact with your eyes if they are swollen.

Do not wear contact lenses and any makeup if you feel any swelling.

Avoid direct sunlight and get plenty of sleep.

Preventing swollen eyes

There are many ways that can help prevent swelling in your eyes.

Some basic preventions are drinking more water and using cold compresses.

More prevention tips are:

Get enough sleep

Having a good sleep regularly can help reduce the puffiness of the eyes.

It is important to maintain a good sleep schedule and stick to it.

An average adult person needs around 7 to 9 hours of sleep.

Avoid alcohol

Drinking alcohol can lead to body dehydration.

It results in inflammation of the eye or eyelids.

Avoid drinking such drinks and alcohol causing swelling.

Reducing salt intake

Too much salt in your diet can cause excessive fluid retention in the eye and body.

It can also lead to other health issues, such as the risk of a heart attack.

Also Read: Treatment along with prevention works more effectively. To learn the best treatment options, read our guide “Effective Options for Swollen Eye Treatment“.

Conclusion

In conclusion, swollen eyes can be caused by various factors such as allergies, infections, injuries, fatigue, hormonal changes, and underlying medical conditions.

Identifying the root cause to treat and prevent further swelling is important.

Generally, swelling goes away within a few hours.

Consulting an eye doctor is recommended in case of persistent and severe painful swelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

• health.clevelandclinic.org
• eyewiki.aao.org
• allaboutvision.com
• nhs.uk