Periorbital edema is the proper term for “puffy eyes.” It refers to swelling in the area around the eyes, known as the eye orbit. But what causes periorbital edema and how can it be treated?
People can have periorbital edema in one or both eyes. When a person has periorbital edema, inflammation around the eye causes fluid to build up. It is this buildup of fluid that gives the eye orbit a puffy appearance..
Fast facts on periorbital edema:
The term refers to inflammation or puffiness around the eyes.
There are many different causes of the condition from health to lifestyle.
It is not in itself serious and is usually temporary.
What is periorbital edema?
Periorbital edema may affect one or both eyes.
Periorbital edema is not the same as having bags under the eyes, which is a natural part of aging. Instead, it is a health condition and is normally temporary.
Numerous different causes may lead to inflammation around the eyes, and they all result in a fluid build-up. It is the fluid build-up that gives the eye orbit a swollen appearance.
For some people, periorbital edema may come on slowly. This type of periorbital edema is described as chronic. For others, it may come on quickly and it is then referred to as acute.
Treatment options
Whatever the cause of periorbital edema, the following treatments may help to reduce swelling:
Cutting down salt intake: A salty diet can increase the amount of fluid a person retains. A low-salt diet can help to reduce fluid retention in the body, including around the eyes.
Drinking more water: Staying hydrated can help to reduce fluid retention, which can help reduce any fluid buildup around the eyes.
Using a cold compress: Cooling the affected areas with a cold compress can help to reduce the inflammation.
Corticosteroids: This type of medication can be applied as cream to the skin or taken as a tablet. It helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including around the eyes.
Anti-inflammatory medication: Medicine such as ibuprofen may be taken orally or applied to the skin. This helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including around the eyes.
Other treatments available for periorbital edema are specific to the cause. These include:
Antihistamines: These help to reduce swelling around the eyes if it is caused by an allergic reaction.
Adrenaline or epinephrine: This emergency treatment helps reduce extreme swelling caused by an anaphylactic shock.
Antibiotics: These may help reduce swelling around the eyes if it is caused by an infection.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of periorbital edema may include swelling around the eye, double vision, and being sensitive to the light.
The symptoms of periorbital edema include:
- mild to severe inflammation around the eye orbit
- double or blurred vision caused by eye puffiness
- redness around the eye, alongside swelling
- bulging of the eyeball
- the white of the eye appearing inflamed
- excess tears being produced
- the eye appearing bruised
- the eyelids being pushed back by inflammation
- being sensitive to light
- pain around the eye or pain when moving the eye
- itchiness around the eye
Anaphylactic shock
If swelling around the eye is accompanied by other facial swelling or difficulty breathing, this may be anaphylactic shock.
Anaphylactic shock is an extreme allergic reaction and is a medical emergency. A person experiencing anaphylactic shock needs emergency medical treatment.
If a person thinks this may be the case, they should call emergency services without delay.
Acute infection
Periorbital edema may be caused by an acute infection. If a person has an acute infection, they may experience additional symptoms. These include:
- fever
- feeling unwell
- nausea
- vomiting
- tender lymph nodes (glands)
Causes
Causes can be grouped into the following types:
medical
natural
lifestyle
Medical
Medical causes of periorbital edema include:
- mononucleosis
- allergic reactions
- skin disorders
- thyroid diseases
- periorbital cellulitis
- Chagas disease
- nephrotic syndrome
- trichinosis
- problems with tear ducts
- conjunctivitis
- eye injury
- sinusitis
Natural
Some things that are a natural part of life may cause swelling around the eyes. These include:
Crying: When a person cries, their tears may irritate around the eyes. This may lead to swelling.
Aging: As a person ages their body expels more water throughout the day. This can lead to the body trying to retain more fluid, causing swelling around the eyes.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle causes of periorbital edema include:
Irregular sleep: Getting too much or too little sleep may cause a person’s body to retain fluid.
Eating too much salt: Having a diet that is high in salt can make the body retain more fluid.
Drinking too much alcohol: Alcohol can cause dehydration. When a person drinks lots of alcohol frequently, it may cause fluid retention.
Smoking: Cigarette smoking can cause hormonal imbalances. This may lead to fluid retention.
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