Waking up to find that your eyes are puffy can make you look tired, which is very frustrating after a good night’s sleep. Eye bags are usually a harmless issue but do tend to be noticed more as we age and also with water retention, allergies, poor sleep habits, or just the way our family structure is passed down. By learning what causes eye bags you can pick out proper care that is safe as opposed to that which is harsh or untested.
What Are Eye Bags?
Eye bags are a form of puffy or loose skin that appears under the lower eyelids. The term “eyebags means” is used by many to describe a look of fullness or swelling under the eyes which is not in itself a disease.
As we age our skin and the tissues which support the eye slowly break down. Eye fat which is usually in its place may shift forward and at the same time fluid can accumulate under the lower lid. This results in puffy under eyes, loose skin or shadows. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports on this very common issue: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/bags-under-eyes
What Causes Eye Bags?
For a large number of people age and genetic factors are what causes eye bags. While poor sleep doesn’t cause permanent eye bags it can bring out and make present puffiness and shadows more noticeable.
Fluid accumulation may present as puffy under eyes which is seen post sleep, after a heavy salt intake or upon lying flat. Allergies may cause itchy, watery eyes with more swelling. Smoking, solar damage to the skin and irritation from cosmetic products also play a role in the issue.
At times persistent swelling is related to dermatitis, thyroid issues, infection or kidney related fluid retention. These are less common but in the case of sudden, one sided, painful swelling or that which brings along other symptoms they should be evaluated. Mayo Clinic also reports age, fluid retention, sleep loss, allergies, smoking, genetics and certain health conditions as contributors.
| Possible cause | Typical pattern | Sensible next step |
| Fluid retention | Worse in the morning or after salty food | Reduce excess salt and elevate the head during sleep |
| Allergy or irritation | Itching, watering, redness or rubbing | Avoid triggers and seek advice before using medicines |
| Ageing or genetics | Gradual fullness under both eyes | Discuss options if the appearance is bothersome |
| Possible medical condition | Sudden, painful, persistent or one-sided swelling | Arrange an eye or medical examination |
Eye Bags and Dark Circles Are Different
Eye bags which is a term for puffy eyes also includes fat protrusion and loose skin. Dark circles on the other hand are a result of pigmentation, visible vessels, or shadowing from under eye hollows. They may present at the same time but treatment for pigmentation won’t always reduce structural bags and vice versa.
How Are Persistent Eye Bags Diagnosed?
Most eye bags are evaluated via a clinical exam. A patient may report when the issue of swelling started, how it varies over the day’s activities, also if there is associated itchy, painful, red, discharging eyes, headache or change in vision. At times we may also run some tests which are ordered if we suspect allergy, thyroid disease, an infection or some other condition.
Patients with other health issues which may include squint eye treatment should be made aware that squint and under eye swelling are separate issues which require different evaluation.
How to Get Rid of Eye Bags Safely
People asking how to get rid of eye bags should start with measures matched to the cause. A clean cool compress which is applied gently for a few minutes may reduce morning swelling. Also getting enough sleep, raising the head a bit while sleeping, reducing salt intake, not smoking and dealing with allergies may also improve puffy under eyes.
Do not apply ice to the eye area or use bleaching agents, steroid creams or medicated drops without first consulting a professional. Skin in that area is very thin and inappropriate products may cause irritation. Cosmetics may improve the look of dryness or texture but will not change the position of prominent fat.
| Management option | May help with | Important caution |
| Cool compress and sleep-position changes | Mild morning puffiness | Improvement may be temporary |
| Allergy management | Puffiness with itching and watering | Use medicines only as advised |
| Skin procedures | Selected texture, pigment or contour concerns | Results vary; specialist assessment is essential |
| Lower-eyelid blepharoplasty | Structural fat bulging or excess skin | Surgery has risks and needs follow-up |
Medical and Surgical Treatment Options
In the case that home care doesn’t improve the issue an ophthalmologist, dermatologist or oculoplastic surgeon can discuss what options are available for eye treatments. What these options are to include treatment of allergies, resurfacing procedures we do, or injection options. Procedures near the eye require a great degree of skill from the surgeon as complications may include infection, pigment changes, vascular injury and vision problems.
For that which is very noticeable under eye bags, lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a procedure which may remove or reposition fat, also it may reduce extra skin. It is to be known however that this is not a perfect solution, there are risks. The NHS reports that while the procedure may improve the look of bags some patients report issues like bruising, irritation, uneven results, infection and in rare cases damage to eyesight: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/eyelid-surgery/
After surgery you may see some swelling, bruising, tearing and light sensitivity. Follow your surgeon’s advice on which medications to take, how to care for your eye lid, what physical activity is okay and when to come in for a follow up. Should you get severe pain, an increase in redness, discharge, bleeding or any change in what you see immediately go to the emergency room.
Can Eye Bags Be Prevented?
Not all cases are preventable which is true when it comes to aging and genetic factors. But you can do something about other factors which cause under eye bags like maintaining a regular sleep schedule, watching your salt intake, controlling allergies, protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking and gently removing make up at night.
When Should You Consult an Eye Specialist?
Arrange evaluation for when eye bags appear out of the blue, affect one eye, keep getting worse, or present with pain, redness, rash, discharge, fever, headache or vision changes. A health care professional can determine if the change is cosmetic or requires medical attention and will detail appropriate eye treatments.
Conclusion
Most of the time eye bags are harmless, but if you have persistent or atypical swelling in the eyes get it checked out. It is best to identify the cause first before going in for heavy duty products or procedures. See an ophthalmologist or go to a good eye hospital for personal advice which is what you really need when swelling is sudden, painful, present in only one eye or related to vision changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
No one vitamin deficiency is reported to cause eye bags. Nutritional deficiencies do play a role in a person’s overall health but what we see as under eye bags is more typically related to age, heredity, allergy or fluid retention. See a doctor before starting any supplements.
Permanent change is a function of the cause. We see that lifestyle changes may improve puffiness temporarily, at the same time structural eye bags may require a surgical evaluation. For those researching which methods are best for how to get rid of eye bags permanently we advise to go over the possible benefits, limitations and risks with a very experienced professional.
Both play a role. Genetics influences eyelid structure, fat placement and when bags appear. Lack of sleep may cause more of a notice of fluid retention, shadows and puffy under eyes but is not the only cause of which those bags persist.
Temporary puffy eyes may also come and go but age related eye bags tend to become more apparent as skin and support tissue degenerate. The rate of which they do may vary and is influenced by genetics, sun exposure, smoking, allergies and general health.
Eye bags which are the fullness of tissue under the lower eyelids. Dark circles are of a dark color or shadowing. They may present at the same time but each has different causes so a treatment for pigmentation may not improve puffiness.
Reference Links
- https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/bags-under-eyes
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bags-under-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20369927
- https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/eyelid-surgery/
- https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/aesthetic-cosmetic-devices/dermal-fillers-soft-tissue-fillers
- https://medlineplus.gov/healthysleep.html