The choice of puffy eye medication is very diverse, ranging from eye drops to ointments. However, the use of puffy eye medication must be adjusted to the underlying cause or condition so that the treatment is effective and the puffy eye condition can be resolved immediately.
Puffy eyes or periorbital edema is a condition that refers to excess fluid in the tissues around the eye. Swollen eyes often occur in the eyelids and are accompanied by other symptoms, such as redness, watery eyes, or dry eyes.
Swollen eye conditions can be caused by various things, ranging from irritation or allergies, infections, to injury to the eye. Therefore, the use of puffy eye medication needs to be adjusted to the cause or according to the doctor's recommendations.
Puffy Eye Medicine and Its Uses
Before using puffy eye medication, you need to know what causes puffy eyes you are experiencing first. One way to determine the cause is to consult a doctor.
After conducting an eye examination and determining the cause of your puffy eyes, your doctor will prescribe the appropriate puffy eye medication, including:
1. Artificial tears
Puffy eyes caused by irritation or allergies can be overcome by avoiding the causative factors. In addition, to relieve symptoms of swollen eyes due to irritation and allergies, doctors can also give eye drops in the form of artificial tears (artificial tears).
2. Antihistamines
This drug can be used to treat complaints of swollen and itchy eyes due to allergic reactions in the eyes. Antihistamines prescribed by doctors to treat puffy eyes can be in the form of eye drops or oral medications.
3. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroid drugs in the form of eye drops are generally used to treat allergic reactions or severe inflammation of the eye.
Although it can be purchased over-the-counter, the use of corticosteroid drugs as a puffy eye medication must be in accordance with the recommendations or instructions for use from a doctor. If used inappropriately, this drug actually risks damaging your eyes and making your symptoms worse.
4. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Injury to the eye, for example from a blow or a blunt object impact, usually causes swollen eyes with pain and bruising in the eye.
Minor eye injuries usually get better on their own within a few days. However, to relieve the complaints that arise due to eye injuries, you can rest and apply a cold compress for 15-20 minutes on the swollen eye area.
You can also take pain relievers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as paracetamol, if needed.
5. Antibacterial
Swollen eyes due to infection can cause inflammation called conjunctivitis. The infection can be caused by viruses or bacteria.
Swollen eyes due to viral conjunctivitis usually go away on their own without special treatment. However, applying artificial tears and cold compresses to the eye can be used to relieve symptoms and speed up recovery.
If swollen eyes are caused by a bacterial infection, treatment can be done with antibiotics. This medication can be prescribed by a doctor in the form of eye drops, cream, or eye ointment. In certain cases, the doctor may also prescribe antibiotics in oral form (drugs).
6. Antifungal
Fungal eye infections are rare, but very dangerous. Patients with fungal infections of the eye may experience complaints of swollen, itchy, sore, watery, or red eyes accompanied by visual disturbances.
This condition is more at risk for people who have weak immune systems or contact lens users who are not diligent in changing and keeping their contact lenses clean.
To treat fungal infections of the eye, doctors may prescribe antifungal medications in the form of eye drops or oral medications. However, if it is severe, the doctor may give an antifungal medication by injection.
In general, to treat puffy eyes that are relatively mild, the use of cold compresses on the eyes is quite effective. However, if the puffy eyes don't go away, you can use some of the puffy eye remedies above according to the doctor's prescription and recommendation.
In addition, when your eyes swell or become irritated, avoid using make up around the eye for a while until your eye condition returns to normal.
Tips for Preventing Puffy Eyes
There are several ways you can do to prevent puffy eyes, including:
Avoid allergens
Do an allergy test to find out for sure what causes your allergies. Thus, you can avoid these causes to prevent puffy eyes from occurring.
Use eye protection
For those of you who often do activities with a high risk of eye injury, it is important to always use eye protection. If you often move in the hot sun, use sunglasses that can protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays.
Using eye drops without preservatives
When you use eye drops, use a drug or product without preservatives. This is because eye drops with preservatives may contain irritating substances that can cause eye irritation.
Wash your hands regularly
Frequent hand washing and stopping the habit of touching your eyes can reduce the risk of eye infections that can cause puffy eyes. If necessary, use a clean towel or tissue when cleaning your face and eyes.
Cleaning contact lenses
For those of you who use contact lenses, you should regularly clean and replace contact lenses. This aims to minimize the risk of eye infection or irritation.
In addition to the methods above, you also need to accompany it by regularly checking your eye health to the doctor, especially if you have experienced eye problems, including swollen eyes.
After examining the condition of your eyes and determining the cause, the doctor will give the appropriate puffy eye medication so that the complaints you are experiencing can be resolved immediately.