Swollen eye medication choices based on the cause

Swollen eyes can sometimes interfere with your daily life. Fortunately, there are several drug options that you can use to reduce eye swelling. The types of drugs that exist certainly have different functions and ways of working, so they must be in accordance with the cause of your eye swelling. What are the differences? Check out the drug options and how to treat swollen eyes below.

Swollen eye medication options

Puffy eyes are a symptom that can be caused by a variety of health conditions or problems. Usually, swelling occurs due to excess fluid in the tissue around the eye. Swelling is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms, such as red, dry or watery eyes.

One way to treat swollen eyes is with drugs. However, because the causes are different, the drugs used are also different according to what causes them.

Therefore, before buying drugs for swollen eyes at a pharmacy, it's a good idea to undergo an eye exam first and consult a doctor to find out the appropriate medication.

The following are choices of drugs that are commonly used to treat swollen eyes:

1. Antihistamine drops

If the eye swelling is caused by allergies, the way to get rid of the condition is to use antihistamine eye drops. Yes, antihistamines are a type of medication commonly used to treat allergy symptoms.

To find out if swollen eyes are triggered by allergies, usually there are other accompanying symptoms, such as itchy and watery eyes.

Antihistamines work by blocking histamine, a chemical in the body that triggers allergy symptoms when the body is exposed to allergens.

Some of the most commonly prescribed antihistamine eye drops are azelastine HCl, emedastine difumarate, and levocabastine.

2. Antibiotic drugs

If your swollen eyes are caused by a bacterial infection, such as conjunctivitis, you may need to take antibiotics.

Swelling of the eye caused by infection due to wearing contact lenses can also be treated with antibiotics.

Antibiotic drugs work by killing the bacteria that cause eye infections. Usually, drugs are given in the form of drops.

3. Antifungal drugs

Yeast infection can also cause your eyes to become swollen. In this condition, the ophthalmologist will prescribe an antifungal medication to treat swelling.

Medicines are usually available in the form of eye drops, pills, or injections. The medication will depend on the type of fungus and the severity of the infection in your eye.

Generally, antifungal medications should be used for several weeks to months. One type of drug prescribed to treat fungal infections of the outer layer of the eye is natamycin, which is effective at killing yeast Aspergillus and Fusarium .

4. Corticosteroid drops

In some cases of eye swelling related to inflammation and allergies, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid eye drops as a way to treat your condition.

However, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the use of steroid drugs for the eyes is only allowed if the eye disorder is caused by a bacterial infection that causes injury to the cornea of ​​the eye.

Avoid using corticosteroid drugs without a doctor's recommendation and prescription. The reason is, improper use actually risks causing more severe eye damage.

5. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)

NSAID drugs can also be used as an option to treat swollen eyes that are also accompanied by itching. However, the administration of NSAID drugs must also be done with caution. Not every patient can use this drug.

As with corticosteroids, NSAID drugs are also likely to cause side effects after use. The risk of side effects from NSAIDs is higher when used in patients with corneal problems.

Are there any tips to prevent puffy eyes?

Often times we hear the word "prevention is better than cure". Well, you can prevent eye swelling by living a cleaner and healthier lifestyle.

Apart from taking medication, here are some tips to prevent eye puffiness:

1. Wash your hands frequently

Unconsciously, you may be holding your face and eyes a lot. In fact, there may be various kinds of bacteria and germs that land on your hands and have the potential to move into your eyes. This in turn runs the risk of triggering eye problems, including swelling.

Therefore, make sure you always wash your hands thoroughly. It's even better if you don't touch your face or rub your eyes too often.

2. Avoid allergy triggers

If the swollen eyes that you often experience are caused by allergies, the most effective way besides taking allergy medication is of course avoiding the allergens. If you are allergic to dust, make sure your house is cleaned regularly, especially in areas that are easily exposed to dust such as sofas, carpets, and mattresses. That way, the risk of eye swelling due to allergies can be reduced.

3. Wear eye protection

Exposure to UV rays from the sun can affect your eye health. Therefore, use anti-radiation sunglasses that can protect your eyes from the effects of UV rays.

4. Caring for contact lenses properly

Contact lenses are vision aids that stick directly to your eye. Therefore, the treatment must be done properly and correctly to avoid the risk of eye problems, including swollen eyes.

There are various drugs that you can use to treat swollen eyes, as well as some ways to prevent them.

Remember, use the drugs above in accordance with the instructions and directions from the doctor, yes. That way, the performance of the drugs used is maximized and your eye problems heal faster.