Lotemax Side Effects: What They Are and How to Manage Them

Eye Infections Can Be Far More Serious Than You Realize, Expert Warns

When you think of eye infections, what comes to mind? Puffy, swollen bruised feeling eyelids that get glued together with gunk overnight? That feeling of having grit in your eye that can't be cleaned away? Eye infections may seem like a relatively minor – if unsightly and inconvenient – complaint, but they can also be far more serious.

Take the deadly outbreak of antibiotic resistant bacteria Burkholderia cepacia in 2023-24, for example.

Between January 2023 and February 2024, contaminated brands of lubricating eye gel were linked to the infection of at least 52 patients. One person died and at least 25 others suffered serious infections.

The outbreak has now subsided and products are back on the shelves but it isn't the first time that medicinal products have led to outbreaks of B cepacia.

The bacteria is an opportunistic pathogen known to pose a significant risk to people with cystic fibrosis, chronic lung conditions and weakened immune systems. The infection likely progresses from the mucous membranes of the eyelids to the lungs where it leads to pneumonia and septicaemia causing death in days.

But it's not just B cepacia that can threaten our health. Something as simple as rubbing our eyes can introduce pathogens leading to infection, blindness and, in the worst case, death.

Bacteria account for up to 70 percent of eye infections and globally over 6 million people have blindness or moderate visual impairment from ocular infection. Contact lens wearers are at increased risk.

The eye is a unique structure. It converts light energy to chemical and then electrical energy, which is transmitted to the brain and converted to a picture. The eye uses about 6 million cones and 120 million rods which detect colour and light.

Eye cells have no ability to regenerate so, once damaged or injured, cannot be repaired or replaced. The body tries its best to preserve the eyes by encasing them in a bony protective frame and limiting exposure having eyelids to defend against the environmental damage and ensure the eyes are kept lubricated.

Despite our bodies' best efforts to shield the eyes from harm, there are a number of common eye infections that can result from introducing potential pathogens into the eyes.

Conjunctivitis

The outer-most layer of the eye, the sclera, bears the brunt of exposure and to help protect it, it is lined by a thin moist membrane called the conjunctiva.

The conjunctiva is highly vascularized, which means it has lots of blood vessels. When microbes enter the eye, it is this layer that mounts an immune response causing blood vessels to dilate in the conjunctiva. This results in "pink eye", a common form of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria, allergens or viruses and typically heals by itself.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid and usually affects both sides. It can cause itchy eyes and dandruff-like flakes. It's most commonly caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, or the dysfunction of the glands of the eyelids. It can be treated by cleaning the eyes regularly.

Stye

A stye (also called hordeolum) is a painful infection of the upper or lower eyelid. Internal styes are caused by infection of an oil-producing gland inside the eyelid, whereas external styes develop at the base of the eyelash because of an infection of the hair follicle. Both are caused by bacteria, typically the S aureus form of the Staphylococcus species.

Styes can be treated by holding a clean flannel soaked in warm water against the affected eye for five to ten minutes, three or four times a day. Do not try to burst styes – this could spread the infection.

Keratitis

Keratitis is the inflammation of the cornea, the transparent part of the eye that light passes through. The cornea is part of the eye's main barrier against dirt, germs, and disease. Severe keratitis can cause ulcers, damage to the eye and even blindness.

The most common type is bacterial keratitis; however, it can also be caused by amoeba, which can migrate to other parts of the body – including the brain – and cause infection and even death.

Noninfectious keratitis is most commonly caused by wearing contact lenses for too long, especially while sleeping. This can cause scratches, dryness and soreness of the cornea, which leads to inflammation.

Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation of the middle layer of the eye. Although relatively rare, it is a serious condition and usually results from viral infections such as herpes simplex, herpes zoster or trauma. Depending on where the inflammation is in the eye, the symptoms can be anything from redness, pain and floaters to blurred vision and partial blindness.

Exogenous endophthalmitis

This is a rare but serious infection caused by eye surgery complications, penetrating ocular trauma (being stabbed in the eye with a sharp object) or foreign bodies in the eye. Foreign bodies can be anything from dirt and dust to small projectiles such as shards of metal from drilling, explosives or soil from farm machinery and many other sources.

Dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is the inflammation of the nasolacrimal sac, which drains tears away from the eye into the nose. This condition can be acute, chronic or acquired at birth. Most cases are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

The condition mainly affects newborns and those over 40. Seventy-five per cent of cases are women and it's most commonly found in white adults. It can lead to the stagnation of tears, creating a breeding ground for microbes.

Careful with contacts

Proper eye hygiene reduces the risk of all these conditions – and this is even more important for contact lens wearers.

Appropriate hygienic cleaning of lenses is paramount. Non-sterile water, spit and other fluids can transfer potentially dangerous microbes into the eye – a warm, moist environment that makes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria – leading to localized infection, blindness or progress to a more serious systemic infection or death.

Any persistent and painful redness or swelling of eyes should be checked by a registered health professional.

Adam Taylor, Professor and Director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Centre, Lancaster University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

How To Get Rid Of Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the skin and the soft tissues underneath. It can become serious if left untreated. Cellulitis can cause swelling, redness, pain, or warmth in the skin.

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that can develop from a break or cut in your skin. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

Cellulitis can develop from a break or cut in the skin. A cellulitis infection typically affects the lower legs but can occur in the face, arms, and other parts of the body. Left untreated, the infection can spread into the bloodstream and become life-threatening.

Erysipelas vs. Cellulitis

Erysipelas is another type of skin infection. Both erysipelas and cellulitis cause the same symptoms -- red, warm, and swollen skin. The two conditions can be hard for even doctors to tell apart. One difference is that cellulitis affects deeper layers of skin than erysipelas does.

Lymphedema and cellulitis

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that's part of your immune system. These vessels carry a fluid called lymph that flushes bacteria out of your body to prevent infections.

Lymphedema is swelling under the skin caused by a buildup of lymph fluid. It happens when damage or a blockage in the lymphatic system prevents lymph fluid from draining.

You're more likely to get cellulitis if you have lymphedema. That's because a damaged lymph system can't protect you as well against infections.

Cellulitis vs. Abscess

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin that can cause redness, pain, and swelling at the infection site.

An abscess has similar symptoms as cellulitis but is a collection of pus under the skin. A doctor's care is sometimes required to drain the pus from the abscess, and they may prescribe antibiotics to continue treatment after it's drained.

Cellulitis happens when there's a break in the skin and bacteria get inside. It usually shows up on damaged skin such as inflamed wounds, dirty cuts, and areas with poor blood circulation.

Although many different types of bacteria cause cellulitis, the two most common types are Group A streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria live on your skin and underneath your fingernails.

Bacteria get into a cut or tear in the skin from:

An injury

Surgery

A skin condition such as eczema, athlete's foot, or psoriasis

Foreign objects in the skin

Open wounds underneath the skin

Is cellulitis caused by poor hygiene?

Breaks in the skin are the most common cause of cellulitis. But it can also happen in areas that aren't clean. To lower your risk, wash your hands with soap and water before you touch your skin. Shower regularly and put on clean clothes. Also, clean any wounds to prevent bacteria from getting inside.

Is cellulitis contagious?

Cellulitis isn't contagious. Usually, it doesn't pass from one person to another. The only way it might spread is if one person has an open wound that directly touches another person's open wound.

Common parts of the body affected by cellulitis are your legs, feet, toes, arms, hands, and fingers. Doctors also label types of cellulitis based on where the infection starts, including:

Periorbital cellulitis

This is an infection of the eyelid or the skin around the eye. It's most common in children. The cause is often an injury or sinus infection. Periorbital cellulitis usually isn't serious. Most children with this infection get better after they take antibiotics for about a week.

Orbital cellulitis

Orbital cellulitis is less common than the periorbital type, but it can be more serious. Like periorbital cellulitis, it starts when bacteria spread from an injury or sinus infection into the eye. But in this case, the bacteria get deeper into the fat and muscles of the eye. Orbital cellulitis can cause blindness without treatment.

Perianal cellulitis

This infection mainly affects children under 10. It starts in the perineum, the area between the anus and the scrotum in boys, or between the anus and vulva in girls. Strep bacteria most often cause perianal cellulitis.

Facial cellulitis

Cellulitis can affect the face, although a skin infection on the face is more likely to be from erysipelas. Facial cellulitis happens when bacteria spread to the face from a(n):

Ear infection

Gum infection

Injury

Insect bite

Sinus infection

Breast cellulitis

Breast cellulitis is an infection of the breast. It happens when bacteria build up in the sweat underneath the breasts. The skin of the breast becomes red, warm, and swollen. Some people also have flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills.

You're more likely to get breast cellulitis if you:

Are overweight

Have large breasts

Had surgery or radiation therapy to treat breast cancer

Cellulitis in the breast can spread quickly if you don't treat it.

Cellulitis from a bug bite

Insects don't transmit the bacteria that cause cellulitis through their bites or stings. However, the break in your skin from a bite or sting gives the bacteria a way to enter your body and cause an infection. The bacteria that cause cellulitis live on your skin and in your nose and mouth even if you're healthy.

Cellulitis most commonly shows up in the lower legs but can occur anywhere in the body. Some examples include:

Cellulitis on toes

Cellulitis on your toes can cause the skin to become swollen, red, painful, and warm to the touch. Flaking and peeling skin and blisters can happen, too. Cellulitis on the toes happens for a variety of reasons, but especially if you have athlete's foot, diabetes, or poor circulation.

Cellulitis on legs

Cellulitis on your legs can appear as peeling, pitted, or blistered skin and can cause the skin to become red, swollen, and/or warm to the touch.

Cellulitis in eyes

Cellulitis in your eyes, or orbital cellulitis, can infect the skin, fat, and muscles around the eye, causing a bulging or swollen eyelid and redness. Orbital cellulitis is rare but can become severe and cause long-term problems, including blindness. 

Periorbital cellulitis, occurring in the skin around your eye, is more common in younger children. Still, it's important to treat it before it spreads and becomes the orbital type. 

Facial cellulitis

Cellulitis on your face can happen when bacteria enter through a break in your skin. Symptoms include swollen, red, and painful skin along with tenderness, bruising, or discoloration. 

For all cellulitis cases, the infection can spread if symptoms aren't treated.

Cellulitis symptoms usually start with a small area of skin that's red, swollen, tender, and warm. The skin may be pitted like an orange peel or develop blisters. You may have a fever and chills.

Other common symptoms include:

A sore or rash that grows quickly

Warmth

Pain or tenderness

Tiredness

Yellow, clear fluid or pus leaking from the area

Get medical help for any of these more serious symptoms:

High fever (100.4 F or higher) 

Nausea and vomiting

Shaking chills (rigors)

Growing or hardening of the reddened area

Increased pain

Numbness when you touch the area

Dizziness

Confusion

Is cellulitis itchy?

Cellulitis doesn't generally itch. However, your skin can itch as it begins to heal during treatment.

Is cellulitis painful?

Cellulitis is frequently painful. Pain at the site, swelling, and skin that is hot to the touch are some of the most common symptoms of cellulitis.

You're more likely to get cellulitis if you:

Have an injury to the skin

Have a weak immune system from diabetes, cancer such as leukemia, or HIV/AIDS

Have circulatory problems, such as insufficient blood flow to your arms and legs, poor drainage of your veins or lymphatic system (lymphedema), or varicose veins -- twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin

Had chickenpox or shingles

Had cellulitis in the past

Have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, or athlete's foot

Have liver disease such as chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis

Are overweight

Had a coronary artery bypass graft procedure

Often doctors can diagnose cellulitis based on how your skin looks. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your skin. You might need a blood test to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. Other procedures could include:

X-ray. This is used to see if there's a foreign object in your skin or if the bone underneath is possibly infected.

Bacterial culture. Your doctor will use a needle to remove fluid from the area and send it to the lab.

Rarely, the infection can spread and cause complications such as:

Bacteremia, a blood infection

Endocarditis, an infection of the inner linings of the heart's valves and chambers

Osteomyelitis, a bone infection

Sepsis, an extreme whole-body response to infection

Toxic shock syndrome, a life-threatening condition caused by bacterial toxins

Suppurative arthritis, an infection in a joint

Necrotizing fasciitis, an infection that destroys tissue under the skin

Get medical help right away if you have cellulitis along with any of the following symptoms:

A large area of skin that's red and inflamed

Numbness, tingling, or other changes in the affected area

Skin that has turned black

A red and swollen area around your eyes or behind your ears

While treating cellulitis, the goal is to get rid of the bacteria that caused the infection. Usually, the way to do that is with antibiotics.

Cellulitis antibiotics

Cellulitis treatment usually includes an antibiotic such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin, which you take by mouth for 5 days (or longer if specified). Which antibiotic you need will depend on what type of bacteria caused your cellulitis.

Take the full course of antibiotics even if you feel better. You may need to take antibiotics for 7-14 days or longer if you have a weakened immune system. Some people need more than one type of antibiotic.

What are the signs that cellulitis is healing? 

Once treatment has begun, symptoms of cellulitis will begin to go away. Redness will ease, swelling will go down, and discoloration will fade.

You may get treatment in a hospital if:

Cellulitis doesn't get better after a few days of taking antibiotic pills.

It covers a large area of your body.

You have a weak immune system.

The infection is around your eyes.

The hospital can give you antibiotics right into one of your veins (IV treatment). You may need to stay in the hospital for a few days if you have a serious case of cellulitis.

Cellulitis home remedies

Take care of your wound. Keep it covered to help it heal faster. Your doctor will let you know if you need to put special dressings or medicines on the infected area.

Here are some other ways to manage cellulitis at home:

Prop up the part of your body with cellulitis. This will relieve swelling and help the infection heal.

Hold a warm compress to your skin in the affected area.

Wear a compression wrap or stocking to bring down swelling and improve blood flow.

Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) to keep you comfortable.

How long does cellulitis last?

With treatment, cellulitis can last 7-10 days, or longer if there are complications. Patients with a weakened immune system can take longer to recover.

Most of the time, antibiotics are enough to treat cellulitis. Surgery usually isn't necessary, unless your doctor needs to open and drain an abscess or remove pus that has collected in the tissue. They may also cut away dead tissue to help the area heal.

Use these tips to avoid cellulitis:

Practice good personal hygiene, and keep your skin clean.

Rub a lotion or moisturizer onto your skin to prevent cracks.

Wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes or slippers with loose-fitting cotton socks. Don't walk barefoot outdoors.

Keep your wounds clean. Wash the wound every day with soap and water and cover it with a fresh, clean bandage. Watch for signs of infection such as redness and pus.

Trim your nails carefully to avoid injury.

If you have diabetes, check your feet every day for sores you might not feel. Quickly treat any injuries or infections.

Manage conditions that can cause cellulitis, such as eczema, athlete's foot, and lymphedema.

To prevent insect bites, use an insect repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants when you go outside in areas where there are biting insects.

Clean insect bites with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment if the skin is broken. Cover the bite with a bandage to keep it clean and prevent yourself from scratching it.

Some injuries are more likely to cause cellulitis than others. See your doctor if you have:

Animal or human bites

Puncture wounds deeper than 1/2 inch, such as from stepping on a nail

Crushed tissue that bleeds

Burns that blister

Frostbite

Deep injuries with dirt in them

Injuries that touch seawater (making them more prone to infection), especially if you have liver disease

Diabetes or other major medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease

Swelling in your arms and legs that does not go away

Cellulitis should go away after you take antibiotics as prescribed. You may need to take antibiotics for longer than a week if the infection is serious.

In rare cases, cellulitis can spread through the bloodstream and cause more serious problems, such as a heart infection or blood infection. You may need treatment in a hospital if that happens.

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the skin that can occur all over the body but most commonly appears in the lower legs. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and skin that is warm to the touch. If left untreated, cellulitis can become serious and spread to the bloodstream. Treatment usually involves a course of antibiotics that clears up symptoms within 7-10 days.

Is cellulitis very serious?

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and not usually serious if treated. Most forms of cellulitis, which can occur all over the body, clear up following a course of antibiotics.

Some types, such as cellulitis in the eye, can be very serious and can cause blindness. If your case of cellulitis isn't treated, it also can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream, which can be life-threatening.

What is the fastest way to get rid of cellulitis?

The fastest way to treat cellulitis is to see a doctor and receive a course of antibiotics to take care of the infection.

What are the warning signs of cellulitis?

The most common warning signs of cellulitis are patches of skin that are swollen, red, painful, and warm to the touch. Cellulitis most commonly occurs in the lower legs but can appear all over the body, including the toes, arms, face, and belly. Flaky, dimpling, or pitted skin around the swollen site can also be a warning sign.

What are the red flags of cellulitis?

Symptoms of cellulitis include skin that becomes painful, swollen, red, and warm to the touch, especially in the lower legs. Red flags that mean you should see a doctor immediately for treatment include:

Fever and increased pain at the infection site

Nausea or vomiting

Shaking chills (rigors)

Growing or hardening of the reddened area

Numbness when you touch the area

Dizziness

Confusion

Eye Docs Share The Fastest Way To Heal A Swollen Eyelid + The Warning Sign To Watch Out For

Most of us have woken up with a puffy eyelid at some point in our lives. Aside from being uncomfortable (and sometimes painful), it can also temporarily affect your vision. When that happens, you've probably wondered what caused it and what is the fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid?

"Eyelid swelling can encompass a variety of conditions that include real disease but also even normal eyelid changes," explains Brittany Simmons, MD, a specialist in oculofacial plastic, orbital and reconstructive surgery at the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan.

That means the fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid actually depends on the source of the swelling. Here, we break down the most common culprits and speedy remedies.

Common causes of a swollen eyelid + easy cures

While swollen eyelids can be frustrating, they're generally not cause for concern. In most cases, eyelids swell due to benign conditions and can be easily remedied at home. If you notice puffiness, it's likely due to one of these triggers.

1. A stye

Styes, also known as chalazion or hordeolum, are one of the most common causes of eyelid swelling. They usually appear as a small bump along the edge of the upper or lower eyelid.

"They start out as a blocked oil gland that causes inflammation, and that inflammation causes a hard red bump," Dr. Simmons says. "You may have some foreign body sensation on the eye. Or you may see it looking like it's coming to a head — almost like a whitehead or a pimple."

Marija Bazarova/Getty

The fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid caused by a stye

If a stye is behind your swollen eyelid, Dr. Simmons says applying a warm compress to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes, three to five times a day helps heal a stye by removing the blockage. And while a simple warm washcloth will do the trick, you can also use a warm, damp green tea bag if you have one handy. Why? Green tea brims with antimicrobial properties that help speed healing plus soothe inflammation. (Click through for more ways to get rid of a stye.)

2. Allergies or allergic reactions

Seasonal allergies and allergic reactions to soaps or makeup can lead to a swollen eyelid. This type of irritation and swelling is known as allergic conjunctivitis. (Not to be confused with the viral infection that causes pink eye.)

"With seasonal allergies, usually you'll also have some eye surface symptoms," Dr. Simmons says. "The eyes will feel itchy or irritated." You may also notice puffy eyelids in the morning, when detergents from bedsheets or pollen from open windows had ample time to irritate your eyes overnight.

Related: These Teas Ease Allergies Naturally + the Timing Trick That Boosts the Benefit

The fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid caused by an allergic reaction

For seasonal allergy-induced eyelid swelling, Dr. Simmons suggests three easy steps. "Very conservative things will help manage it," she says. "Try cool compresses, take an over-the-counter allergy medicine and maybe some anti-itch drops for the eyes."

Cool compresses can be applied for 15 minutes every few hours. To boost the benefit, consider using antihistamine eye drops such as Systane, Alaway and Pataday in addition to oral OTC allergy meds.

Eric Audras/Getty

If you suspect an allergic reaction could be behind the inflammation, look at whether you've started using a new soap or skincare product. And check that your makeup and other products you use on your eye area haven't expired.

"Think about what you use — anything new or makeup that's old," says Amanda Crum, OD, MS, an optometrist and assistant professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins. "Mascara and eyeliner brushes can fester bacteria, which can increase the chances of getting a puffy eyelid."

Mascara should be replaced every three months. Brushes should be washed weekly and replaced after two years or when they begin showing wear. Have trouble remembering when to toss makeup? Set a reminder in your phone's calendar each time you open a new product.

3. Preseptal cellulitis

Preseptal cellulitis, or periorbital cellulitis, is a bacterial infection that can affect the skin and soft tissue around the eye. "Basically oil glands within the eyelid either become clotted or infected, and it can cause the eyelid to get puffy, tender and red," says Dr. Crum.

Preseptal or preorbital cellulitis is more common in children, but can affect people of any age. It's usually caused by trauma around the eye (scratches or bug bites) or sinus infections. While the condition isn't contagious, it's important to get treatment before it spreads to other parts of the eye.

"You may start to notice vision changes or pain when you move the eye or pressure behind the eye," Dr. Simmons says. "Then we worry about that cellulitis being spread to the back and around the eye socket. While that's rarer, it could threaten vision."

SneSivan/Getty

The fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid caused by cellulitis

Preseptal cellulitis or periorbital cellulitis must be diagnosed by a doctor. It's usually treated with a five-to-seven day regimen of oral antibiotics.

Related: Is Your Blurry Vision Normal Aging or Something More? Eye Docs Reveal How to Tell the Difference

4. Ocular rosacea

Ocular rosacea, which is another form of the skin condition rosacea, is an inflammatory disease that impacts the eyes and the skin around them. It can cause swelling on eyelids and around the eye, along with redness, itching, burning and discharge. (Click through to learn how to get rid of rosacea.)

The fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid caused by ocular rosacea

While there is no cure for ocular rosacea, symptoms can be managed in a number of ways. Your best options:

Warm compresses applied during and after bathing

Antibiotics such as doxycycline

Artificial tears or eye drops containing lipids, such as Systane Balance and Systane Complete

Cleaning the eye area with a pH-balanced cleanser

Wearing SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily on the eyelids and skin around the eyes

Avoiding food and beverage triggers, which vary from person to person and can include alcohol and spicy foods

Applying sunscreen can ward off eyelid swelling caused by ocular rosacea.Yaroslav Astakhov/Getty

Related: 8 Best Moisturizers for Rosacea-Prone Skin, According to Dermatologists

5. Other causes of eyelid swelling

According to Dr. Simmons, your eyelids could swell for a variety of other reasons. These include:

Blepharitis, or irritation along the lash line caused by bacteria

Severe dry eye

Severe orbital or ocular inflammation

Aging

Excessive sodium intake

The fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid

Conditions such as blepharitis, dry eye or inflammation likely need to be treated with medications such as antibiotics, eyedrops or anti-inflammatories. But for puffiness caused by aging or sodium intake, making changes to your evening routines can make a big difference.

"Eyelid skin is so thin," says Dr. Simmons. "As we lie flat, any place we have water in the body, it just sort of settles. When we're flat, it tends to settle a little more around the eyelid area. So if people notice fluid accumulation and puffiness, I usually tell them to watch your salt intake before you go to bed and sleep with your head elevated a little bit to try to discourage that fluid accumulation. And when you wake, you could do cool compresses or the old cool spoon or cucumber over the eyes trick — those things really work."

Holding cold spoons over your eyelids for a few minutes eases swelling.Moyo Studio/Getty

How to heal a swollen eyelid: When to visit a doctor

In most cases, a swollen eyelid will heal after a few days. But if your lid stays swollen or gets worse, or if you notice pain, light sensitivity or vision changes, visit a physician.

"Anytime you have something that's out of the norm for you, get it checked out," Dr. Simmons says. "It's much better to go have it looked at and have it be nothing than to miss something that's potentially more problematic."

And as Dr. Crum adds, "in some of these situations, seeing an optometrist or an ophthalmologist might be better because we have special equipment that allows us to look under high magnification."

Note: Eyelid swelling accompanied by swelling in other parts of the body should immediately be addressed by a medical professional, Dr Simmons says.

"There are folks who might have medical disorders where fluid retention is an issue," she says. "If they suddenly have a lot of eyelid puffiness or swelling unlike anything they've had prior, or if they notice fluid retention in other places such as feet, ankles, shins, fingers or hands, I would definitely have those folks see their doctor. You want to rule out other medical issues that can cause the fluid retention, like heart failure or metabolic problems."

For more ways to keep your eyes healthy and vision sharp:

Is Your Blurry Vision Normal Aging or Something More? Eye Docs Reveal How to Tell the Difference

Eye Docs' Top Tips to Get Rid of a Stye Fast — Plus the One Thing You Should Never Do

Doctors Reveal the Snack That Cuts Your Risk of Vision-Clouding Cataracts in Half

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

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