Do you have swollen eyelids? Find out the cause. It may be a serious disease.

Swollen eyelids trouble every one of us from time to time. Looking in the mirror after a night out, poor sleep or a flood of tears brought on by watching a romantic film, we sometimes really do not recognise ourselves. However, if swollen eyelids appear more often, or if you cannot explain what causes them, it is time to visit an ophthalmologist. It may be one of the serious diseases.

In this article you will learn:

• what the most common causes of swollen eyelids are
• what disease swollen eyelids may signal
• how to treat a swollen eyelid

 

Swollen eyelids: causes

A number of factors can contribute to swollen eyelids. The most common causes of swollen eyes are:

• fatigue
• environment
• allergy
• eye and systemic diseases

 

Fatigue is the most common cause of swollen eyelids

Swollen eyelids most often appear in the morning after waking up. The reason may be poor-quality or insufficient sleep, but also a boisterous night out. Fatigue and the resulting swollen eyes can also be caused by work - in recent years in developed countries, above all by excessive strain on the eyes from using digital technologies.

 

The environment can also cause swelling of the eyelids

Our body is also significantly affected by the environment in which we move and spend hours. The eyes are no exception in this case, and they are among the first indicators that something is not right. Swollen eyelids may be the result of spending time in a smoky room; air conditioning, wind, dust and the like can also have a negative effect.
 

Swollen eyes as an allergic reaction 

Swollen eyes together with excessive tearing, itchy eyes or a runny nose are among the common manifestations of allergic reactions. Allergic manifestations can be relieved with correctly chosen treatment and by taking medicines as prescribed by an allergist.

Swelling of the eyelid may also be caused by some other diseases, such as a stye or a chalazion. In both cases a painful lump forms on the eyelid; the difference between them is that a stye is of infectious origin. In this case you should visit an ophthalmologist, who will determine effective treatment.

Heavy eyelids as a signal of an autoimmune disease

Swollen eyelids are one of the manifestations of blepharitis - inflammation of the eyelids. We distinguish between intense – acute inflammation and long-term – chronic inflammation. Besides inflammation, swollen eyelids may also signal non-ocular diseases, such as thyroid problems or the autoimmune disease known medically as myasthenia gravis. This manifests itself as muscle weakness; a patient suffering from this disease has difficulty opening their eyes.

The importance of eye examinations is explained by MUDr. Ivo Ďurkovič, MPH chief physician of the iClinic network of eye clinics: “A comprehensive eye examination can also reveal serious diseases which at first glance have absolutely nothing to do with the eyes. For example HIV, TB, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure or diabetes.”

What to do about swollen eyelids

With suitable prevention you can eliminate the risk of swollen eyelids. At the same time, you can also minimise their manifestations if swelling does occur. Of course, if it is a disease, it needs to be treated with the help of an ophthalmologist.

Prevention as the basis of the fight against swollen eyelids

The most important prevention, just as for the other parts of our body, is a healthy lifestyle, good-quality sleep and regular check-ups with a doctor, in this case an ophthalmologist. The basis is sufficient fluid intake, ideally plain water or unsweetened tea. Not only for the eyes, but basically for the whole body, it is beneficial to limit salt consumption. Salt causes water retention in the tissues, the eyes included.

Frequent partying, drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking or spending time in smoky rooms have a very irritating effect on the eyelids and on the eyes themselves, so you should try to avoid them.

Regeneration will reduce the swelling

Healthy eyelids are also helped by regular sport and exercise, good-quality sleep and allowing the body time to regenerate. If you work at a computer, take regular breaks and do eye exercises, focus on distant objects. A good exercise for people with computer-based jobs is also blinking in the dark. Cover your eyes with your hands so that it is dark, but at the same time so that you can blink. This kind of exercise helps the eyes by relieving them of fatigue.

Correctly set working and home conditions

As swollen eyes can also be caused by a draught or too low a temperature from air conditioning or, conversely, by dryness and heat in the bedroom during sleep, it is necessary to choose the ideal room temperature. When using air conditioning, the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperature should be approximately 4 degrees. The ideal temperature for comfortable sleep is around 18 – 20 degrees.

Proven remedies for swollen upper eyelids

If you already have swollen eyelids and it is not a disease of the eyelids, there are several methods to get rid of them or at least reduce the swelling. The basis is cooling. Probably the best known is applying cold cucumber slices; compresses with soured milk also help. Another popular way is applying a steeped green tea bag. Green tea is full of antioxidants, which help to reduce swelling. Let the tea bag cool to room temperature and place it on the eyes for approx. 15 minutes. Aloe vera also has soothing effects. Besides antioxidants, it also contains vitamin E. It helps with several skin conditions. Gel with Aloe extracts is applied directly to the eyelids.

Drooping upper eyelids and swollen lower eyelids can also be removed surgically. The operation is medically called blepharoplasty and we also perform it at our clinic.