What Causes Inner Corner of Eye Swollen?

With a swollen inner eye corner, your vision may be affected. Eye swelling is caused by extra fluid collecting in the tissue that surrounds your eye. It is common in the eyelid, the inner corner, and under your eyes. This can be brought on by an eye infection, eye injury, or chronic illness. You may also see it if you have been crying a lot. Eye swelling can be accompanied by itching, bumps, or redness. If you do have a chronic condition causing this, you may also see eye bulging, blurred vision, eye pain, or eye dryness.

Causes of Inner Corner of Eye Swollen

There are a few different things that can cause a swollen inner corner of eye. Some may need attention from your doctor and some can easily be taken care of at home. Here are some of the causes:

1. Crying Tears

There are glands near the corner of your eye that produce tears to help lubricate the eyes and keep them clean. If you become upset or exposed to chemicals, they release these fluids more than normal. The tear duct is just inside the inside corner near your nose and drains in and out of the nose. You may experience a stuffy or even runny nose after crying. Tears can actually cause swelling inside the tear duct if you cry for too long. This may make the inside corner of your eye appear swollen. But it's only temporary.

2. Seasonal Allergies

If you suffer from seasonal allergies that travel through the air, you may experience some eye swelling. This can often occur in the inner corners of your eyes close to your nose. Things like dust, pet dander, pollens, and things you put in your eyes are the main cause of eye allergy reactions. When your eyes come in contact with an allergen, your body releases a chemical known as histamine that causes inflammation and swelling.

3. Styes and Chalazion

A stye is usually caused by a staphylococcus infection in the oil glands near the eyelashes. They cause a bump anywhere near the eyelid or the tear duct. A chalazion is a blocked gland without the bacteria. Either can cause inflammation and a bump, but styes do need antibiotic treatment.

4. Eye Injuries

If you suffer from any type of eye trauma, this can cause you to notice the inner corner of eye swollen and even possibly reddened. This may also be a temporary result of eye surgery, or any other medical procedures including eye exams.

5. Blepharitis

This temporary condition is caused by inflammation due to the oil glands not working right. These are right near the line of your eyelashes and if lubrication stops, the eyes may become swollen and irritated. This can often manifest just near the corners of the eyes or just one spot on the eyelid. Some of your eyelashes may fall out. This condition tends to be chronic and one of the most common causes of "dry eyes."

6. Graves' Disease

Graves' Disease is a condition where the thyroid becomes overactive and increases the metabolism of the body. One of the symptoms is swollen eyes that appear to bulge. It may begin with the inner corner of eye swollen and proceed to bulging eyes. Graves' disease is usually treated with radiation or thyroid surgery, but the eye effects may be permanent after treatment.

7. Conjunctivitis

Pink eye is a very common eye infection that causes the eyes to become pink, irritated and swollen. One of the most common symptoms is eye itching. The allergic or viral kind needs to just run its course, but bacterial is treated with antibiotics. Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious.

8. Contact Lenses

If you wear contact lenses for long periods of time or do not clean them well, they can irritate the eyes and cause swelling. A lens that is damaged may cause an abrasion in areas like the inner corners and swelling may be one of the first symptoms.

9. Orbital and Periorbital Cellulitis

This is a bacterial infection that affects the tissues around your eyes. It causes inflammation in the eyelid areas, the corners of the eyes, and can even spread to your cheeks or brow area. In some cases, cellulitis can be caused by a virus. If the infection is bacterial, it needs immediate treatment to prevent blindness or damage to the optic nerves.

Treatments to Help

You may be able to reduce the swelling in the inner corner of your eye with treatment. Some of the common treatments to help this include: 

  • Hot Compress - If you notice your inner corner of eye swollen and it is due to a blocked duct, a hot compress may help to relieve the pressure. Take a clean washcloth and run it under hot water. Place it on your eye until it cools. Make sure you use a clean washcloth for each eye and only use once to prevent the spread of infection.
  • Get Extra Rest - Not enough sleep or rest can really do a number on your eyes. When you start to notice puffiness or swelling, lie down with a cool rag over your eyes for at least 30 minutes if you can. Try going to bed earlier and avoid watching TV in bed or looking at your phone.
  • Reduce Salt Intake - Salt can increase fluid accumulation in the eye area. Lowering your intake of salt may help decrease fluids and eye swelling. There are added benefits to your body, and there are alternatives to make your food taste great!
  • Remove Eye Makeup - Take any eye makeup off at night before bed. Eye makeup can clog the tear and eyelash ducts.
  • Antibiotics - If you can't clear up eye swelling on your own in a few days and develop other symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. You may have a bacterial infection and need antibiotics. Other signs to watch for are redness, drainage, itching, and distorted vision.
 
 
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