Puffy eyes and dark circles2025-04-10T09:40:44+00:00

Puffy Eyes And Dark Circles Treatment

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What are puffy eyes and dark circles?

IN THIS VIDEO I PROVIDE A BRIEF EXPLANATION

Everything you need to know about puffy eyes and dark circles

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Puffy eyes and dark circles are very common and can give you a tired and old appearance. This can cause you to feel embarrassed, and affect your confidence and self-esteem.

What causes puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes?

Ordinary swelling around the eyes means you have an excessive accumulation of fluids, called oedema, in surrounding skin tissue.

Because the skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin in the body, swelling and discolouration can be quite prominent.

But why does fluid accumulate to form puffy eyes in the first place?

Edema around the eyes generally results from a variety of factors, including:
• Overconsumption of salt, which causes fluid retention
• Seasonal allergies that can cause inflammation and swelling
• Sinus problems
• Dehydration
• Fatigue and lack of sleep
• Stress
• Crying
• Ageing
• Inherited facial features

While the last answer isn’t very satisfying, many people indeed have puffy eyes because this trait simply runs in the family.

Ageing

Eye puffiness can occur when the fatty tissue that ordinarily protects the eye inside the bony eye socket begins to push forward and fill in spaces below the eye.

This happens because ageing processes cause thinning of the membrane or “septum” that ordinarily holds back fat in both the upper and lower eyelids. As the membrane thins, the fat herniates and pushes forward. This is when bags or bulges start forming under the eye.

Why are eyes sometimes puffier in the morning after you wake up?

While we sleep, we don’t blink. And this is part of the reason why eye puffiness develops.

Blinking for eyelids is like walking for legs. When idle, some people develop swelling in their lower extremities. This usually goes away as soon as they start walking and muscles in the legs begin “milking” the trapped fluids (edema), which are released back into circulation.

A similar action takes place in the eyelids. The closed, non-blinking eyelids during sleep potentially can swell in certain people prone to this problem. So in the mornings, you could wake up with unusually puffy, swollen eyelids. As soon as you open your eyes and start blinking, some of the swelling will diminish in an hour or so.

When do puffy eyes mean you have a medical condition?

When puffy eyes occur unexpectedly, this can signal an underlying medical problem. For example, people with thyroid eye disease can develop swelling of tissue and muscles around their eyes. Also, bulging eyes can signal a thyroid disorder known as Graves’ disease.

Eye allergies

Eye allergies related to conditions such as hay fever also can cause swollen eyes. Other types of allergies, such as reactions to certain foods or chemicals, can cause swollen eyelids.

During an allergic reaction, certain cells in the body release a chemical called histamine that has many adverse effects on body tissues, including fluid leakage from the blood vessels. These fluids become trapped in surrounding tissues, causing oedema.

Infection

Puffy, swollen eyelids and dark circles under the eyes can occur when you have an eye infection such as pink eye. These swollen eyes are caused by inflammation associated with eye infection, which directly affects the neighbouring eyelids. Also, dry eyes can cause general puffiness and swelling.

Disease

Systemic diseases, including kidney failure, can also lead to general swelling throughout the body, including around the eyes.

I will ask you a number of questions to help pin point the cause of your puffy eyes and dark circles.

Questions will include:

  • When did you first notice the puffiness under your eyes?
  • Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What can be done about puffy eyes and dark circles?

The best solution for puffy eyes and dark circles will depend on the underlying cause.

If they are inherited

If you have the same puffy eyes as your mother or father, you probably inherited the trait. In this case, you will need to either accept the trait or consider cosmetic options that might help reduce the puffiness and discolouration.

If they are a result of ageing

Puffy eyes and dark circles caused by ageing also probably would require a cosmetic solution.

We could discuss some of the available options to address your eyelid concerns. These options include chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing procedures, certain cosmeceuticals (prescription skin products) and eyelid surgery known as blepharoplasty.

Blepharoplasty involves removing extra fatty tissue and excessive skin from upper and lower eyelids, as well as tightening skin and muscles to reduce puffiness and wrinkles.

Many home remedies can temporarily help reduce the swollen look around eyes, such as:

• Using eye drops for irritation caused by allergies, if appropriate
• Drinking ample fluid to prevent dehydration
• Applying a cold compress to the eye area when your lids are swollen
• Applying cucumber slices or chilled tea bags over closed eyes
• Using creams and other skin products specially formulated for use around the eyes
• Reducing salt in your diet
• Eating potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, to eliminate excess fluids in your body
• Splashing cold water over your face and eyes
• Getting plenty of sleep and rest

One of the most common home remedies, as mentioned above, is the temporary use of haemorrhoid creams and ointments to reduce the puffiness in eyelids. A common active ingredient in these preparations is phenylephrine, a medication that constricts blood vessels, reducing their diameter.

This can have a potential dual effect on puffy eyelids. First, if dark circles are caused by a visible network of blood vessels under the thin eyelid skin, then making the vessels smaller might reduce the darkness. Second, constricting the blood vessels could reduce the potential for leakage of fluid from within the blood vessel, and this might reduce puffiness.

However, be aware that there are risks associated with using haemorrhoid creams for this purpose. If you accidentally get any of these types of products in your eye, you can experience a severe inflammatory response known as chemical conjunctivitis.

Samer Hamada and Eye Clinic London enable patients to experience relief from their eye problems so they can focus on what matters most.

Don’t put life on hold any longer. Call us or book an appointment today to find out how cataract surgery can transform your vision.

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About the expert

Mr Hamada | Consultant Ophthalmologist and Corneal Surgeon

MD, MSc, DO (hons), FRCSEd, FRCOphth I am Samer, founder and consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in ophthalmology. I am a world-renowned specialist in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. I’m not only a leading surgeon but also the only dual fellowship trained in corneal diseases in children from reputable institutions in the UK. At Eye Clinic London I work closely with other consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. Our main aim is to make sure our patients get the safest and best treatments available to them. We put your safety before anything else so you can rest assured that if you choose us you will be in the best and safest hands.