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A swollen eyelid occurs when there is inflammation or excess fluid (edema) in the connective tissues surrounding the eye. Swollen eyes can be painful and non-painful, and affect both the upper and lower eyelids. There are numerous causes of a swollen eye, including eye infections, eye injuries or trauma, and, most commonly, allergies. Swelling of the eyelids can be a sign of a more serious, potentially sight-threatening health problem, such as orbital cellulitis, Graves' disease and ocular herpes. It's important that you visit your eye doctor for a thorough eye exam if your symptoms persist, worsen or change.
Eye irritation, such as an itchy or scratchy sensation Excess tear production, resulting in watering eyes Obstructed vision (depending on the extent of the swelling) Redness of the eyelid Red eyes and inflammation of the conjunctiva Discharge from the eye, or "mattering" Eyelid dryness or flaking Pain, particularly when swollen eyelids are caused by infection
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Blepharitis. This is inflammation of the eyelids, usually caused by malfunctioning of the oil glands in the lids that empty near the base of the eyelashes. Blepharitis is characterized by swollen and painful eyelids and can be accompanied by dandrufflike flaky eyelid skin and loss of eyelashes. Blepharitis usually is a chronic condition, meaning symptoms can be controlled with proper treatment and hygiene practices, but it is never fully cured. It often is associated with a bacterial infection, but also can be attributed to acne rosacea and dry eye syndrome. Orbital cellulitis. This is a rare but serious bacterial infection of tissues surrounding the eye, resulting in painful swelling of the upper and lower eyelid, and possibly the eyebrow and cheek. Other symptoms include bulging eyes, decreased vision, fever, and eye pain when moving the eyes. Orbital cellulitis is a medical emergency and prompt IV antibiotic treatment often is needed to prevent optic nerve damage, permanent vision loss or blindness and other serious complications. If the infection is limited to the soft tissue of the eyelids, this is called pre-septal cellulitis, which is less serious than orbital cellulitis and often can be treated with topical medication without hospitalization. However, sudden onset of the symptoms mentioned above should be considered a medical emergency until proven otherwise. Ocular herpes. Transmitted by the common herpes simplex virus, ocular herpes sometimes is dubbed "the cold sore of the eye," and causes inflammation (and sometimes scarring) of the cornea. Symptoms of eye herpes can be similar to pink eye, however there may be painful sores on your eyelid, blurry vision due to a cloudy cornea and swollen eyes which may be so extreme that it obstructs your vision. Types of eye herpes range from a mild infection to a more serious eye health problem that could result in a corneal transplant or even loss of vision. Graves' disease. This ocular disorder, stemming from an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), often is associated with swollen, puffy eyelids and bulging eyes, as well as double vision and drooping eyelids (ptosis). If you exhibit any of these symptoms, see your eye doctor as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Generally, if your swollen eyes are due to allergies, antihistamine eye drops or oral allergy medication, as well as lubricating "artificial tears" will help relieve symptoms. Your eye doctor also may recommend mild steroid drops for more severe allergic reactions. Other causes, such as infection like conjunctivitis or ocular herpes, respond well to anti-viral or anti-inflammatory eye drops or ointments, or antibiotics. Minor bouts of swollen eyelids can be eased with home remedies. First and foremost, avoid rubbing your eyes as this will only aggravate your condition. Also, if you wear contact lenses, remove them until swelling resolves. Applying a cool compress sometimes can reduce eyelid swelling, as well as splashes of cold water to your closed lids.
If symptoms continue or worsen, or if you experience any pain in your eye, see your eye doctor immediately to rule out a more sinister cause of your swollen eyes.