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The eyes are delicate organs, and any problem in them could be bothersome to the person, while likely noticeable to those around them. Parents may become apprehensive when they notice that their baby’s eyes are swollen. There can be different intensities of eye swelling due to various reasons. Timely identification and treatment could prevent any complications.
In this post, we tell you the various reasons, home remedies, and treatment options for swollen baby eyes.
Severity Of Baby’s Swollen Eyes
The swelling in a baby’s eyes includes swelling in the tissues of the eyelids, eyeballs, and the orbits where the eyeballs are located. The severity of eye swelling in babies can be determined through the following scale (1).
- Mild swelling: The swelling is considered mild when the puffiness is limited to the eyelids, but they open normally.
- Moderate swelling: The eyes are more than puffy, but the eyes are still opening normally.
- Severe swelling: The eyelids’ swelling causes the eyes to shut or remain almost shut. There may also be swelling in the eyeball tissues, such as the conjunctiva and sclera (white of the eye).
What Causes Swelling In Baby’s Eyes?
There are several reasons for eye swelling, depending on whether one or both the eyes are affected (2).
Causes of swelling in one eye
- Rubbing the eye: It is common for babies to touch or rub their eyes with dirty hands. Dust and other irritants on the hands, such as food particles, may irritate the eyes, causing them to swell temporarily.
- Insect bites: Insect bite on the periorbita (region around the orbit or eye socket) or on the eyelid may lead to swollen baby eyes. Mosquito and ant bites are some common reasons.
- Allergies and contact dermatitis: Babies susceptible to allergies or related conditions, such as contact dermatitis (eczema), may develop swollen eyes on contact with an allergen. Some common triggers are plants, insects, pollen, dust, and pet dander.
- Sty: Sty in babies could occur due to infection or blockage of oil gland ducts of the eyelid or the follicles of the eyelashes. The condition can cause a prominent boil on the affected eyelid. Chalazion, which only affects the oil gland ducts, could also lead to the same results.
- Dacryocystitis: It is the infection of the lacrimal sac or the tear sac, which lies in the inner corner of the eye towards the nose. Bacteria are the most common cause of this infection.
- Blocked tear ducts: The tear duct or the nasolacrimal duct drains the tears from the eyes to the nasal cavity. A blocked tear duct in babies could lead to swollen eyes. There are several reasons behind blocked tear ducts, including congenital anomalies of the tear duct (3).
- Sinus infections: Sinuses lie between the nasal cavity and the eyes. Any infection in the sinuses may result in swelling around the eyes.
- Periorbital cellulitis: It is the infection of the tissue of the periorbita, the region around the eye socket. Bacteria are the most common causes of the infection (4).
Causes of swelling in both eyes
- Conjunctivitis: It is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin membrane covering the inside of the eyelids and the sclera (white of the eye). The condition is commonly called pink eye. Conjunctivitis could occur due to bacterial or viral infections or as a result of an allergy.
- Edema around the eyes: Edema is the retention of fluid within body tissues, causing localized swelling. Periorbital edema could occur due to fluid accumulation around the eyes. It may result from serious underlying issues, such as kidney, liver, or heart problems. Nephrotic syndrome is a condition that causes too much protein to enter the kidneys, causing edema and swelling around the baby’s eye, especially after they wake from sleep (5).
- Anaphylaxis: It is a life-threatening allergic reaction, causing swollen body tissues, including eyes and eyelids. It is often accompanied by breathing or swallowing difficulty and skin hives. Certain food items, drugs, and the sting of some insects, such as bees, are common triggers.
Besides these causes, an eye injury could also lead to swollen eyes in babies. If you notice swelling in one or both of the baby’s eyes after an injury, take your baby to a doctor immediately. If the injury is due to a chemical or substance entering the baby’s eyes, carry the container of the compound so that the healthcare providers may administer relevant antidote or remedy.
How Are Swollen Eyes In Babies Treated?
The treatment of swollen eyes depends on the cause and intensity of swelling. Mild and moderate swelling may not require any treatment. Severe swelling and some cases of swollen eyes may require the following treatment modalities.
- Antibacterial eye drops may be advised in case of bacterial conjunctivitis (6).
- Allergy-related swelling and conjunctivitis in the eye may require antibiotic drops and oral medication.
- Topical antibiotics may be prescribed for external eyelid swelling, such as due to a sty.
- Surgical correction of anomalies, such as tear duct blockage, may be needed in some cases.
- Serious infections, such as periorbital cellulitis, may require hospital admission and administration of intravenous antibiotics (7).
- Relevant treatment for other causes, such as nephrotic syndrome, may be needed to cure swollen eyes in some cases.
Home Remedies For Swollen Eyes In Babies
You may consider the following home remedies for mild to moderate eye swelling in babies (2).
- If swollen eyes are due to an insect bite, it is usually harmless and resolves by itself. If the baby seems uncomfortable, you may apply an ice pack or ice wrapped in a wet cloth to the affected eye for five minutes at a time for 20 minutes (1).
- If your baby’s eye swelling is due to a sty, apply a warm compress for five minutes, three to five times a day. Use a clean washcloth each time.
- If your baby’s eye swelling is due to contact dermatitis or allergy, avoiding the substance is the best way to relieve the swelling and prevent it from recurring (7).
When To See A Doctor?
The swollen eyelids’ severity and associated symptoms should guide you to decide if you must call your doctor.
You must call your pediatrician and seek immediate care in the following cases (2).
- Severe swelling in one or both eyes
- Eye swelling is accompanied by a fever
- Eyelids or sclera appear red, swollen, and puffy
- Pus or fluid oozes from the eye
- Your baby shows signs of malaise or appears very sick
You may contact a pediatrician within 24 hours in the following cases.
- Baby has one or two swollen eyelids with no fever and no effect on the baby’s routine
- Pain or tenderness in the eyelid with no other symptoms
- Periorbital swelling (swelling around the eyes) but no other symptoms
- Redness and mild swelling of the sclera but no fever
If you cannot take your baby to the doctor immediately and your baby seems overall fine, you may wait for three days. However, if the swelling stays for more than three days or is chronic, consult a doctor.
Swollen baby eyes could range from mild to severe in their intensity. Most cases tend to be mild, with the swelling resolving within a day. You may check for the possible cause for redness. Maintaining adequate personal hygiene, preventing insect bites, and avoiding potential allergens could help prevent swollen eyes in babies.
