Puffy Swollen Eyes

Have you ever woken up with puffy eyes and wondered how to get rid of them? There are several reasons you may have puffy eyes, from diet to disease.

This article will help you understand common causes of puffy eyes and treatments to get rid of them.

If you have an ongoing problem with puffy eyes, schedule an eye exam at a Pearle Vision EyeCare Center where our experts can evaluate your condition and help you figure out the best treatment plan.

Causes of Puffy Eyes

Bags under the eyes and swollen or puffy eyes result from excess fluid around the eyelid and eye area. Fluid retention leading to swollen eyes can be caused by several different factors including:

• Aging.
• Genetics.
• Allergies.
• Tiredness.
• Excessive crying.
• Fatigue.
• Diet, particularly with high salt and/or sodium intake.
• Thyroid conditions.

Below, we’ll look at how these common eye conditions and infections cause eye swelling and tips on how to get rid of puffy eyes.

Aging and Genetics

As people age, collagen production decreases and you lose muscle tone, skin firmness, and elasticity. Collagen loss can affect the skin around your eyes causing it to thin.

As collagen lessens, fat can move into the area beneath your eyes, which gives the appearance bags under the eyes. Aging skin is more prone to fluid retention, which can increase with fatty deposits under the eyes, causing a more swollen under eye area.

Genetics can also play a role in puffy eyes and under-eye swelling. While there isn’t a single gene associated with baggy eyes, if one or both of your parents or a sibling have eye bags, there is a higher chance you may develop them.

Aging and genetics are both unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to reduce the puffiness. Here are a few techniques you can try to get rid of puffy eyes: 

• Try an eye cream with retinol, collagen, caffeine, and/or hyaluronic acid. Always consult your doctor or dermatologist before testing new products on your skin.
• Use cold compresses like a cold, wet washcloth on your eyes to ease swelling.
• Get adequate sleep and develop a bedtime routine to enhance your sleep.
• Reduce sodium intake.

High-Salt Diet

Eating a high-sodium diet that includes salty foods like cured meats, salted canned goods, and highly processed/prepared foods can cause puffy eyes. When you eat salty foods, your body retains more water, which can cause swollen eyes, bloating, puffy hands and/or feet, and high blood pressure.

For reference, the FDA recommends less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day.

To that end, the following dietary changes may help get rid of puffy eyes:

• Buy and prepare fresh foods instead of packaged foods.
• If you eat canned foods, rinse them beforehand to remove some sodium.
• Limit how much salt you add when cooking.
• Choose reduced-sodium condiments.
• Read nutrition labels to ensure you’re not exceeding the daily recommend amount of sodium.

Thyroid Conditions

One cause of swollen eyelids and puffiness that people may not consider is related to thyroid conditions like thyroid eye disease (TED) or Graves’ disease, which are both autoimmune disorders and can be related to each other.

People with TED may experience swollen eyes, increased fatty tissue around the eyes, and possible damage to tissues surrounding their eyes.

Graves’ disease can lead to hyperthyroidism, which causes your body to make more thyroid hormone than necessary. It can also develop into Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO), which can damage muscle and other tissues around your eyes. Symptoms of GO include:

• Bulging eyes.
• Puffy eyes.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Eye irritation.
• Eye pain and/or pressure.
• Blurred vision. 

Treatment will depend on the type of eye condition you have. Typically, more severe thyroid eye conditions are treated with medication like prescription eye drops and/or anti-inflammatory drugs like steroids or may even require surgery. You can help control mild symptoms by wearing sunglasses, sleeping with your head elevated to prevent puffy eyelids, and using cold compresses.

Broken Blood Vessel

A broken blood vessel occurs when the white part of your eye becomes bright red from the blood leaking under the clear conjunctiva (white part of your eye). This may cause swelling or puffy eyes. While the redness may look threatening, it is usually harmless and typically isn’t considered an emergency.

Treatment for a broken blood vessel in your eye is limited as it takes time for the blood to absorb, typically within a week or two. If you experience irritation, over-the-counter eye drops may ease discomfort as your eye heals.

Eye Allergies

Allergies are typically seasonal but can occur year-round when an irritant affects your eyes. Common irritants like pet dander, dust mites, plants, molds, or fumes can cause puffiness, red itchy eyes, or unusually watery eyes.

Treatment for eye allergies includes over-the-counter antihistamines, artificial tears, washing hands after petting animals, and keeping windows closed to prevent allergens from blowing inside.

If your allergies continue to cause puffy eyes, irritation, or discomfort, see your eye doctor or general doctor to discuss prescription medication or eyedrops that may be helpful.

Computer Eye Strain

Studies have shown that people who use a computer or other digital screen for prolonged amounts of time tend to blink less. This can lead to computer eye strain, a condition that can cause fatigue, eye swelling, blurry vision, headaches, and dry eyes.

While it may be difficult to avoid screen time if you work on a computer, taking regular breaks and limiting screen time after work can help rest your eyes. When you are using a screen, make sure you have adequate lighting, anti-glare screen or glasses, a comfortable working position, and a proper distance from the screen (20 to 28 inches from your eyes).

Applying eye drops and wearing computer glasses prescribed by your eye doctor can also help alleviate symptoms of digital eye strain.

Pink Eye

Pink eye is a form of conjunctivitis often related to the common cold, flu, or infection, and can result in multiple symptoms such as:

• Itching.
• Burning.
• Stinging.
• Eye discharge.
• Eye swelling.
• Watery eyes.

Pink eye can be viral or bacterial and is very contagious. Be sure to wash your hands often and avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent spreading it to others.

Pink eye will typically resolve on its own but may cause discomfort. Use a cool, wet compress to help with eye swelling, and artificial tears to help with dryness and inflammation. Avoid wearing contacts until the pink eye heals.

If eye pain and irritation persist, it’s best to see your eye doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.

How to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes

If you’re looking for how to get rid of puffy eyes, making a few lifestyle, dietary, skin-care, and/or medical changes may help alleviate the problem.

Lifestyle Changes

A simple way to help reduce puffy eyes is with lifestyle changes including:

• Getting adequate sleep and propping up your head to prevent eye swelling.
• Stopping smoking.

• Applying a cold compress to the skin under your eyes for a few minutes to relieve swelling. You can also apply refrigerated slices of cucumber, a cold spoon, or an ice roller.

Diet Changes

Puffy eyelids and eyes can be eased with simple dietary changes. Reduce sodium intake by eating freshly prepared foods, limiting how much salt you use, and drinking plenty of water.

If you eat packaged foods, check the nutrition information to make sure you’re not exceeding 2,300 mg of sodium per day.

Medications and Creams

If you have allergies or other medical conditions that cause eye swelling and puffiness, medications and/or over-the-counter creams may be helpful.

Try applying eye creams or serum regularly to help reduce puffiness and bags under the eyes. You can take antihistamines for allergies and use eye drops (prescription or over-the-counter) to help with irritation and redness.

Medical Procedures

There are several ways doctors can help reduce eye swelling and puffiness and improve the look and texture of the skin around your eyes if that’s a concern. Be sure to consult with your eye doctor and other medical professionals about the safety and efficacy of any potential procedures.

A few common ways to treat puffy eyes are:

• Laser resurfacing.
• Chemical peel.
• Fillers.
• Blepharoplasty, which is surgery to remove or repurpose the fatty tissue around the eyes.

Even if you don’t opt for surgery or medical procedures, it’s important to still use sunscreen and other eye creams or serum to keep the skin around your eyes healthy and firm.

When to See an Eye Doctor

In general, puffy eyes aren’t a cause for concern. However, you should schedule a consultation with your eye doctor if:

• The eye swelling or puffiness doesn’t go away after one or two days.
• You’re experiencing pain or severe swelling in the eye area.
• You have pain or symptoms in other areas of your body.

If you experience any type of eye injury, chemicals in your eye, or a sudden allergic reaction, you may need to seek immediate medical attention at the ER or urgent care. Symptoms of a more serious problem may include:

• Severe pain.
• Swelling.
• Loss of vision.
• Seeing floaters.
• Blood in your eyes.
• Debris in your eyes.

Get Your Eyes Checked at Pearle Vision

If you’re experiencing eye swelling and puffiness, a comprehensive eye exam can help determine the cause and treat the problem. It’s also important to get annual eye exams that can detect potential problems before they worsen. 

Schedule an appointment at your neighborhood Pearle Vision EyeCare Center if you’re concerned about puffy eyes, and stay on top of your family’s eye health!

Puffy Eyes FAQ

Why is my eye swollen?

Your eyes can swell for various reasons. A few common causes of swollen eyes include:

• Pink eye.
• Allergies.
• Eye injury.
• Foreign matter in the eye.
• Thyroid disorder.

How do you get rid of puffy swollen eyes?

To reduce puffy eyes, try:

• Applying a cold compress.
• Take allergy medication.
• Applying creams or serums.

 What causes puffy eyes?

Common causes of puffy eyes include:

• Genetics.
• Diet.
• Allergies.
• Pink eye.
• Thyroid eye disorder.

How do you prevent puffy eyes?

Simple lifestyle changes like reducing salt intake, eating freshly prepared foods, using eye creams, staying hydrated, and getting good sleep can help prevent puffy eyes.