What is a swollen eye?

One or both of your eyes can become swollen or puffy. Different parts of your eye can become swollen, such as the:

• eyelid
• tear duct
• skin around your eye
• surface of your eye
• inside of your eye or iris

If your eye is swollen, it may also be red and sore. If the skin around your eye is bruised, it will look and feel swollen.

People of any age can get swollen eyes. Young children and babies often get blocked tear ducts, also known as sticky eyes. Older adults are more likely to get dry eyes and other eye conditions, such as cataracts.

What symptoms are related to a swollen eye?

If you have a swollen eye, you might notice:

• redness or puffiness
• watering of one or both eyes
• discharge or pus from your eye or sticky eyelids
• pain in or around your eye
• a runny nose and sneezing
• changes to your eyesight or blurred vision
• sensitivity to light

What causes a swollen eye?

Causes of a swollen eye could be an:

• allergy
• injury
• eye infection
• existing medical condition

Your eye may also look swollen when the tissues around or behind your eye are bruised or have fluid that has built up.

Allergies

Some types of swollen eye happen when you are allergic to things in your environment. These could include:

• hay fever — allergy to pollen, dust, mould or animal dander (dead skin cells)
• food allergies — some people are allergic to nuts, eggs, wheat or dairy
• a reaction to insect stings or bites — the area near a bite or sting on your face can swell up
• allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• blepharitis (inflamed eye lids)

You may have some or all of these symptoms in the eye area if you have allergies:

• itchiness
• redness
• wateriness

Injuries

You may get a swollen eye after an injury if you:

• have a sporting accident, such as a ball in your face
• have an accident at home or work involving cutting, grinding or drilling a piece of wood or metal
• get something in your eye, such as chemicals or a beauty product
• fall over
• have had eye or facial trauma
• have had surgery

After an eye injury, you could have:

• a black eye
• pain, swelling or redness
• changes to your vision

Infections

Bacteria or viruses can cause eye infections. Eye infections can be related to:

• a stye or chalazion
• conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• blepharitis (inflamed eye lids)
• shingles in your eye
• cellulitis (skin and tissue infection)
• sinusitis (sinuses are the hollow spaces behind your eyes and cheeks)

Some symptoms of an eye infection are:

• pain
• discharge
• redness

Other medical conditions

Skin conditions like dermatitis or eczema may also affect your eyes.

Graves’ disease is a thyroid condition that can cause bulging or swollen eyes and double vision.

Uveitis and scleritis are inflammatory conditions that can affect parts of your eye.

It’s also possible to have a malignant (eye cancer) or benign (non-cancer) lump on or near your eye.

How is the cause of a swollen eye diagnosed?

Your doctor or optometrist will examine your eyes and ask about your symptoms. An optometrist is an expert in vision and eye problems and can do a thorough eye test to check your eyes.

If your doctor thinks there might be a serious cause for your swollen eye, they may recommend extra tests and scans.

When should I see my doctor?

See your optometrist or doctor if your swollen eye is not getting better after a few days. If your eye condition is serious they can refer you to an ophthalmologist (specialist eye doctor).

If you have had an injury to your face or have an object in your eye, visit an urgent care clinic. Check if there is one near you.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent care if you have new problems with your vision (ability to see) or are more sensitive to light than usual.

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have these symptoms together with a swollen eye:

• severe eye pain
• headache
• nausea

How is a swollen eye treated?

Treatment for a swollen eye depends on the cause.

If you have allergies, you may be able to avoid the trigger or allergen. You can use medicines to ease your symptoms.

If you have injured your eye, you can apply first aid. Your doctor might suggest pain relievers or eye drops that you can use. St John has more information on what to do if you have an eye injury.

You may need antibiotics if bacteria is the cause of your eye infection.

Self-care at home

Do not rub your eyes if you have an injury or got something in your eye. Try to gently wash it out with clean water. You can use saline or an eye wash if you have some.

Try these steps to wash something out of your eye:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Tilt your head back and open your eyes.
3. Gently pour a little clean water, saline or eye wash in the eye.
4. You can do this in the shower or over a bowl or sink with a small jug or glass.
5. Lean your head with the affected eye down so that the liquid comes out at the side.
6. Blink gently, but don’t rub your eyes.

You can make a warm compress for a stye or chalazion by soaking a clean cloth towel in hot water. Gently press it onto your closed eyelid. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes, 4 times a day.

If you usually wear contact lenses, eye make-up or lash extensions, stop wearing them until your swollen eye gets better.

Medicines for a swollen eye

If an allergy is the cause of your swollen eye, your doctor or pharmacist will suggest you take antihistamines or use a nasal spray. You can get antihistamine tablets or eye drops from your local pharmacy.

If an infection is the cause of your swollen eye, your doctor or pharmacist will suggest you use antibiotic eye drops.

If drops and eye ointment do not help, your doctor can prescribe antibiotic medicine. If you have a viral infection, antiviral medicines or drops are available.

If your swollen eye is painful, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen — always follow the instructions on the packet.

Other treatment options

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about eye washes and warm compresses.

What are the complications of a swollen eye?

If allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is not treated, you may be more likely to get:

• ear infections
• sinus infections
• new or worsening asthma

Some complications of conjunctivitis include long term problems with the cornea (the area at the front of your eye).

A corneal ulcer is a sore on the surface of your eye. It can happen after an injury or infection. See your doctor if you have these symptoms of a corneal ulcer:

• pain
• photophobia (sensitivity to light)
• dry eyes or watery eyes
• loss of vision

Can a swollen eye be prevented?

You can prevent some causes of a swollen eye.

Avoid touching your face or eyes with dirty hands to help prevent an infection. Teach your children to wash their hands regularly and avoid rubbing their eyes.

If you use eye make-up, keep your brushes and applicators clean.

Wear protective goggles or glasses if you are at risk of something getting in your eye when working.

Practice good eye care and have a regular eye test, especially as you get older. You can have a vaccine to prevent shingles if you are aged over 50 years. The vaccine is free for:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 50 years and older
• non-Indigenous people aged 65 years and older

If you have hay fever or other allergies, taking antihistamine tablets or using your nasal spray regularly can help prevent swollen eyes.

Resources and support

Read the healthdirect article on eye-health tips for people aged over-60 years.

Visit the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website to learn more about allergic conjunctivitis and hay fever.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.