by People get eyelid swelling when connective tissue around the eye becomes inflamed or there is too much fluid (edema). Swelling of the eyes may or may not be very painful, but it usually affects the upper and lower eyelids.
Swelling of the eyes can occur for many reasons, including eye infections, eye injuries or trauma, and (most commonly) allergies.
Eyelid swelling that is more severe can be a sign of health problems that threaten vision, such as orbital cellulitis, Graves’ disease, and eye herpes.
If any symptoms persist, worsen, or change, be sure to see your Lasik surgeon in Orange County for a thorough eye examination.
The swelling in the eyelid is a symptom of an underlying cause, such as an allergy or infection. Eye swelling is usually accompanied by one or more of the following:
- Eye irritation, such as itchiness
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Too many tears produced, causing watery eyes
- Impaired vision (depending on the degree of swelling)
- Redness of the eyelids
- Red-eye and conjunctival inflammation
- Eyelids are dry or peeling
- Pain, mainly when infections cause eyelid edema
Visiting your Lasik surgeon in Orange County before the condition gets worse is a good idea.
Causes of eye swelling
Eyelid puffiness can occur for a variety of reasons, from mild conditions to issues that may threaten vision itself.
Allergies: Eye irritation occurs when your immune system overreacts to a foreign body called an allergen. Pollen, dust, pet dander, particular eye drops, and contact lens solutions are the most common eye allergens.
Allergic reactions to makeup are also the culprit for eye swelling. Eye allergies occur when your eyes release chemical mediators to protect your eyes from sensitive allergens. The most common is histamine, which causes the blood vessels in the eye to dilate and swell, resulting in itchy mucous membranes, redness, and water in the eyes.
Conjunctivitis: Also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the transparent membrane on the surface of the eye. Perverted, bacterial, and viral pink eyes can cause eyelid swelling and other symptoms such as watery eyes, red eyes, and itchy eyes.
Stye: A stye is usually caused by a bacterial infection and inflammation of the meibomian glands, with swelling and redness at the sides of the eyelid.
Eyelid swelling is a typical symptom of the oil-producing glands being blocked. A stye can cause swelling of the entire eyelid.
Chalazion: This condition is caused by obstruction of the meibomian gland, which initially mimics a stye, but then develops into a sebaceous cyst.
Another difference is that a stye appears at the edge of the eyelid, while the rhombic knob usually develops away from the side of the eyelid. Stye and brown spot disease cause swelling of the eyelids and tenderness in the affected area.
Eye injuries: Any injury to the eye, including blepharoplasty (commonly referred to as black eye) and trauma caused by cosmetic surgery, can cause inflammation and eye swelling.
Four tips to prevent eye swelling
- Take an allergy test. If you frequently experience eyelid swelling and other allergic symptoms, test your allergies by visiting your Lasik surgeon in Orange County. By knowing what allergies you have, you can try to avoid specific allergens or at least minimize your exposure.
- Choose hypoallergenic and fragrance-free cosmetics and other beauty products to help avoid allergies. You can also perform a test on the inside of your wrist before using your face makeup to rule out any allergic reactions.
- When using eye drops, make sure they do not contain preservatives. Although preservatives in conventional eye drops can inhibit the growth of bacteria, some people are allergic to these preservatives.
- If you wear contact lenses, minimize the risk of eye infections or irritation by adopting appropriate hygiene techniques, including frequent replacement of contact lenses and contact lens cases.
Puffy and swollen eyes
The term swollen eyes are commonly used to describe an immune response to allergies, infections, or injuries.
It is likely referring to the physical characteristics of the eyes that are swollen, such as genetic features, water retention, insufficient sleep, or dark circles under the eyes.
Visit your Lasik eye surgeon in Orange County to save yourself from facing any severe problems.
