The swelling under the eye that could be accompanied by pain is a common complaint. There are many reasons that could be causing it, most of which are not evident.
I'm having this problem right now, its a sharp pain when I blink but dull the rest of the time, does anyone know what it is?
Hey yeah, same my left eye, around the bag of my eye area randomly swelled up and is a huge bump with tender spots it hurts enough to draw attention to it immediately, anyone has any idea what this is?
While moderate pain is usually present, the swelling under the eye can also be painless.
The swelling below the eye and there is no pain could anyone tell me what is the reason?
Many who have this problem joined the discussion trying to identify the cause and find the best treatment.
For the majority who reported the problem, it started in the morning, usually after waking up. A few participants reported the problem in the evening, that became worse in the morning. Many said it felt like a bruise or like they got punched in the face. The problem would usually become worse the next day.
Swelling can be unilateral, i.e. affecting only one eye (both right and left), or it can affect both eyes. The pain has been reported at the center of the lower lid or at the inner corner of the lower lid. It usually occurred before swelling. Also, many participants reported pain increased after they tried to blink. Some redness may appear, although, for many, no redness or any other visible symptoms were present. Only minor swelling and pain. The affected eye may become watery. A headache has been reported as well.
Users reported this problem after using a computer or reading in low light, being worried that it might start to affect their vision. Other named causes including sinus infection (especially if there's tenderness or pressure near cheekbones, particularly when blowing a nose, or pain between the eyes and behind the eye sockets ), a stye (caused by infection and usually visible as a little pustule on the affected eyelid), allergy, irritation (from makeup, dust, etc.), sleeping difficulties, etc.
Several users put the ice on the swollen spot to relieve the swelling and pain, however, the eye was still swollen and painful the next day.
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Dont apply boric powder, its not good for your body
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00799214
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9138630
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4712861/
What do experts say?
Swelling around the eyes, also referred in medicine as periorbital edema, is a common complaint that can be caused by numerous reasons. The term "swollen eyes" shouldn't be confused with "puffy eyes," although both terms are often interchangeable. Puffy eyes usually develop as physical characteristics from water retention, lack of sleep or genetic traits, such as dark circles under the eyes. Swelling of the eyes, on the other hand, usually develops as an immune response to allergy, infection or injury.
A swollen eyelid usually occurs when there is inflammation or excess fluid (edema) in the connective tissues surrounding the eye. Swollen eyes can be painful or painless, and affect either the upper or lower eyelids, or both.
Symptoms of swollen eyelids
While the swelling of the eyelid is a symptom itself, usually of an underlying cause, such as allergy or infection, it can be accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Itchiness
- Redness of the eyelid
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Excess tear production, resulting in watering eyes
- Obstructed vision or double or blurred vision (depending on the extent of the swelling)
- Red eyes and inflammation of the conjunctiva
- Bruised appearance
- Eye discharge, or "mattering"
- Dry eyelids with flaking
Possible causes of swollen eyelids
Many different causes may lead to inflammation around the eyes, resulting in a fluid buildup that gives the eye and eyelids a swollen appearance. These causes may range from mild to potentially sight-threatening conditions.
- Allergy - Allergies are the most common cause of swollen eyelids. The allergies that affect the eye occur when the immune system overreacts to a certain allergen, such as pollen, dust, pet dander, or certain eye drops and contact lens solutions, as well as makeup ingredients. In contact with an allergen, your eyes release histamine, which causes blood vessels in your eyes to dilate and swell, mucous membranes to itch and your eye to become red and watery.
- Styes - Stye or hordeolum is caused by bacterial infection and inflammation of an oil-producing meibomian gland in the eyelid. When the gland gets blocked, eyelid swelling is a typical symptom. A stye usually appears as a swollen, reddish bump on the edge of an eyelid and it's typically tender to the touch.
- Chalazion - A chalazion is similar to stye, which at first mimics it but then develops into a hard sebaceous cyst. It is also caused by a blocked meibomian gland. However, while a stye occurs on the edge of an eyelid whereas a chalazion typically develops away from the eyelid edge. Chalazion also causes swollen eyelids and tenderness of the affected area.
- Conjunctivitis - Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an infection of the eye caused by a virus, bacteria, allergens or other irritants. Despite the cause, conjunctivitis results in swollen eyelids, among other symptoms such as watery, red and itchy eyes.
Irregular sleep, a high-salt diet, high alcohol consumption, and smoking can cause fluid retention resulting in swollen eyes.
Some health conditions can cause the swelling of the eyelids, such as eye injury or trauma, mononucleosis, sinusitis, thyroid disorders, orbital cellulitis, nephrotic syndrome, trichinosis, dysfunctional tear glands, obstruction of the superior vena cava, and eye cancer (although very rarely).
Treatment of swollen eyelids
Treatment of swollen eyelids depends on the cause. Generally, the following home treatments are recommended for all cases of swollen eyelids:
- cutting down salt intake
- drinking more water
- rinsing your eyes with water
- using a cold compress on your eyes for a few minutes at a time (or warm for styes)
- removing the contact lenses if you wear them
The doctor or specialist may prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter remedies such as eye drops. Medications may include antihistamines, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, and adrenaline or epinephrine (if the swelling is caused by an anaphylactic shock).
Links:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1726299/pdf/v021p00240.pdf
- https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/1215/p1815.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515354/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26176369
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24150468
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4261920/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/556162
Discussion highlights
Where is the swelling/pain located?
- I have the same pain, however mine isnt in the bottom corner.
- My pain is bottom centre?
- The pain is at the center of my lower left lid;
- Recently under my left eye I noticed slight pain and then slowely it began to swell.
- I now have a mildly painful puffy/swollen spot under my eye and can't seem to find a reason why.
What makes the pain worse?
- More swelling and hurts more even when I blink.
- it hurts when i blink?
- I iced it all day long which seemed to keep the swelling down, but by the next morning, was even worse and more painful!
- Whenever I close my eyes or touch it then it intensifies.
- because it hurts when i take a break from holding it
What the doctors said?
- but I went to the doctor and I got an infection.
- About 10 days ago i had a sinus infection which moved down to my lungs and stayed there for a few days.
- My doctor said aside from it possibly being a stye it could just be alergies.
- My eye pain was diagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia.
What treatments have been recommended?
- i usually use neosporin ointment !
- Try a warm compress for a couple of days if this doesn't work go to Doctor as u may need antibacterial eyedrops.
- I went to the eye doctor and he said it looked fine, but he gave me some eye drops "Bausch & Lomb: Zylet" to use for a few days.
- They gave him Bactrim which is an antibiotic and it took care of it.
- I had the same thing and the doctor prescribed chlorsig (not sure if that's the correct spelling) For my sty.
What home remedies have been suggested?
- Good tip is to boil an egg and wrap it in a towel which you hold to your eye.
- If you put rose water in your swollen eye twice or thrice for better result, it will work.
- Cucumber juice is also very good for eyes.
- I tried a cold compress at around 24 hours with little or no relief…based on the responses to the original post I have used visine to rinse the eye, dabbed my eyelid with a small amount of castor oil and applied a warm compress for an hour.
- Cut a garlic into 2 and placed it on the swollen area it will be fine in no time trust me!
In conclusion
The swollen eyelid is a common complaint that can be caused by allergies, eye infection, injury or trauma, or sometimes by other health conditions, not necessarily related to the eye. Although the swelling of the eyelids is a common sign of allergies, it is important to consult your doctor because this can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition.