6 reasons why your eye is swollen — from different kinds of infections to allergies
- Your eyelids' blocked glands may become inflamed due to a stye or chalazion.
- Allergies to pollen, dust, or other allergens may be the cause of your eyes being swollen, itchy, or red.
- Graves' eye disease is an autoimmune condition that may cause swelling, light sensitivity, and double vision.
When individuals discuss eye swelling, they may be talking to the eye itself or the region around the eye, such as the eyelids. Eye edoema can affect one or both eyes, and it can cause irritation, redness, or pain as symptoms.
The eyes and eyelids can enlarge for a variety of reasons. The causes might range from extremely minor problems that can be treated at home on their own to more serious infections that need immediate medical attention.
These are eight reasons why eyes may swell:
1. Hordeolum (AKA stye)
A stye is a relatively frequent eye condition that is referred to in medicine as a hordeolum.
"Oil glands known as meibomian glands can be found at the base of the eyelashes. These glands are susceptible to clogging, which can result in an accumulation of oil, a swelling hump on the eyelid, or even an infection "ophthalmologist Dr. Annie Nguyen of USC Keck Medical explains.
A stye happens when a gland becomes diseased.
According to Nguyen, a stye is a tiny, uncomfortable lump that resembles a small abscess and may have a little pus-filled patch similar to a pimple. Other signs of styes include:
- Eyelid swelling
- Eyelid redness or tenderness
- Crusting around the eye
- Tearing from the eye
- The sensation of having something in the eye
How to treat it: The primary treatment is easy to do yourself. Nguyen advises just applying a warm compress to the region for up to 15 minutes.
You may repeat this several times during the course of the day or as frequently as your doctor advises. If the warm compress is ineffective, your doctor may advise you to use topical antibiotics or receive an injection of antibiotics.
Nguyen also advises not wearing eye makeup or contact lenses while the region heals.
2. A chalazion
According to Nguyen, this bulge in the eyelid is caused by an oil-clogged gland in the eye. One can occasionally develop following a stye.
"There may be no pus or draining, yet the bump may feel hard. If the tumour is large enough to push on the surface of your eye, you might occasionally have fuzzy vision "states Nguyen. There will probably be soreness, redness, and swelling.
How to treat it: Warm compresses are the first line of treatment for chalazion, according to Dr. Vicente Diaz, an assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology at Yale School of Medicine and an ophthalmologist at Yale Medicine.
Yet according to Diaz, if the warm compresses are ineffective, you might require a treatment or a steroid injection to get rid of it.
3. Allergies
According to Nguyen, allergies can lead to swollen eyelids and, in certain circumstances, swollen eyes.
Allergic conjunctivitis is the medical term for this condition. In addition to edoema, Nguy According to Nguyen, allergies can lead to swollen eyelids and, in certain circumstances, swollen eyes.
en adds you can also encounter:
- Itching
- Watering or tearing
- Overall irritation and discomfort
This happens when an allergen in the indoor or outdoor environment, such as pet dander, dust mites, or pollen, causes the immune system to react hyperactively.
Under such circumstances, you will also suffer symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, such as sneezing or a runny nose. Other times, according to Nguyen, you can have an adverse reaction to items like soap, makeup, or eyedrops. The symptoms of ocular allergies will become more localised as a result.
How to treat it: According to Nguyen, antihistamine allergy drugs can help reduce swelling and pain brought on by allergies. Antihistamines can be used topically as eye drops or taken orally as pills. You can also use fake tears and cold compresses to soothe discomfort.
4. Water/fluid retention
According to Nguyen, fluid retention can cause periorbital edoema, or swelling around the eyes. Usually, the only sign is edoema or puffiness around the eyes.
According to Nguyen, there are numerous natural causes for this, such as:
- Irregular sleep/lack of sleep
- Crying
- Flying in an airplane
- Consuming too much salt
Nguyen warns that if the swelling persists for several days and you also have considerable swelling in other parts of your body, such as your hands and feet, it may be an indication of a more serious general health issue.
Treatment: If the underlying reason is addressed and given enough time, this will usually go away on its own. According to Nguyen, cold compresses can reduce edoema. See your doctor if the symptoms last more than a few days.
Get emergency medical assistance if you have swelling in other parts of your body combined with additional symptoms like breathing problems or palpitations.
5. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
According to Nguyen, bacterial conjunctivitis or viral conjunctivitis cause the conjunctiva, the lining of the white surface of the eye and the inside of the eyelids, to become inflamed. Among the signs of pink eye are:
- Pinkness or redness of the eye
- Yellow or green discharge from the eyes that can get crusty
- Redness and swelling of the eyelids
- Discomfort
- Feeling like you have something in your eye
How to treat it: According to Nguyen, the underlying cause of the conjunctivitis will determine the precise course of treatment. Your doctor can give you antibiotic ointments or drops to treat the illness if it is caused by a bacterial infection. Antibiotics won't help if the illness is viral; it must heal on its own. Nevertheless, topical steroid eye drops can reduce inflammation.
In either scenario, according to Nguyen, using cool compresses and artificial tears can make you feel better. Also, refrain from using eye makeup and contact lenses, and wash your hands frequently.
6. Cellulitis
An infection surrounding the eye is called cellulitis. Cellulitis comes in two flavours. Diaz claims that the infection is just superficial if it is pre-septal.
It's likely that only the skin of the eyelid is inflamed in this situation. A deeper and much more serious cellulitis infection is one that affects the orbit.
Generally speaking, the infection spreads swiftly and demands immediate medical intervention.
According to Diaz, cellulitis typically results from another illness or disease, such as a sinus infection that started as a chalazion or spread to other parts of the body.
Some cellulitis symptoms are:
- Redness and swelling of the eyelid
- Swelling of the tissue around the eye
- Eye bulging
- Difficulty moving the eye
- Problems with vision
- Fever
- Fatigue
How to treat it: Oral medicines usually work to treat pre-septal infections, but if the infection is orbital, you could require more potent intravenous (IV) antibiotics, according to Diaz. Your doctor may also need to perform surgery or remove fluid from the area.
7. Dacryoadenitis
According to Diaz, dacryoadenitis happens when the lacrimal gland, located in the top outer corner of the eye socket, swells. This gland aids in tear production. If you have this illness, your upper eyelid will swell up significantly and possibly seem drooping.
- Pain and discomfort when moving the eye
- Eyes watering
- Discharge from the eye
- Redness
- Warmth
- Lymph node swelling
How to treat it:The cause will determine the course of action. According to Diaz, an autoimmune condition or an infection could be the underlying cause of dacryoadenitis.
You require antiviral medication if a virus is to blame. Antibiotics are required if bacteria are the reason. Your doctor will decide the best course of action if an autoimmune disorder is the cause of this and may suggest using a steroid to reduce inflammation.
8. Graves' eye disease
Graves' illness, an autoimmune condition linked to hyperthyroidism, in which the body produces too much thyroid hormone, is directly related to Graves' eye disease.
According to Nguyen, the condition is associated with eye bulging as well as swollen and puffy eyelids, which typically affect both eyes.
Additional signs of Graves' disease of the eye include:
- Redness and irritation of the eyes
- Pain or pressure in the eyes
- Difficulty moving the eyes around
- Dry or gritty eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Double vision
- Eyelids that won't close fully
How to treat it: To deal with hyperthyroidism, you must ultimately treat the underlying Graves' illness. Anti-thyroid medicines or radioactive iodine therapy may be used as treatments.
Nguyen claims that if you experience symptoms related to your eyes, your doctor may prescribe steroids to reduce swelling; in more extreme circumstances, surgery might be required.
Insider's takeaway
Eye swelling can have a variety of different possible reasons, depending on whether it affects the eyelid, the actual eye, or both. For the purpose of separating one ailment from another, it's crucial to keep track of any additional symptoms you have.
For a correct diagnosis and the required treatments, visit a doctor.
Redness what can i do?
ReplyDelete