Sunken eye is a condition in which the skin under your eyes appears sunken, dark, and hollow. It is usually due to ageing and is mostly not a cause of worry. However, it can occur in young people too. Under eye hollows develop under your lower eyelid, which makes your eyes appear darker.
Sunken eyes in different people are due to a wide variety of reasons which, as a result, vary in the different grades of severity and seem different in them. Sunken eyes might be subtle in some persons or more evident in others. Read this article to understand what our expert Dr. Achal Singhal, MBBS, DNB Ophthalmology, has to say about the symptoms, causes and remedies to treat sunken eyes.
Symptoms Of Sunken Eyes
- You will notice a hollowing around your eyes
- Dark circles can be seen under your eyes
- The skin under your eyes may appear thin
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- A sensation of heaviness in the eyelids
Causes Of Sunken Eyes
Ageing
Ageing can cause sunken eyes as your skin loses laxity with time. As a result, your skin loses collagen and becomes thinner and more transparent.
Drastic Weight Loss
Losing too much weight can also remove fats from your face. This results in making the blood vessels around your eyes become more visible and transparent than before.
Dehydration
Sunken eyes can be caused if you don't drink enough water. In addition, excessive caffeine and packaged drinks may have diuretic effects, such as increased urine production, which could cause dehydration.
Poor Sleep
Poor sleep quality or sleeping less than seven hours can lead to lower eyelid puffiness & appearance of dark circles under your eyes.
Also Read: Sleeping With Lights On? Know Why It Can Be Harmful
Smoking
Smoking can also cause sunken eyes along with other health conditions. It degrades collagen and skin elasticity which cause your face to sag and result in sunken eyes.
Eye Injury
Eye injury or bone fracture around your eyes can also cause sunken eyes. Your eyes may appear sunken due to inflammation and swelling from eye trauma. Watch out for the cricket balls flying towards you.
How To Treat Sunken Eyes At Home
- You can place warm and moist green tea bags below your eyes to get some relief. Teas contain antioxidants and flavonoids, which help in promoting the flow of your blood.
- Maintain a healthy sleeping schedule; have fixed waking and sleeping hours.
- You can apply a cold compress on the affected area.
- Avoid drinking too much coffee, as caffeine can be harmful to the appearance of your eyes.
- Add green leafy vegetables to your diet to provide the nutrients your eyes need.
- You can take multivitamins, especially those with vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B-complex.
When To See A Doctor
You should visit an ophthalmologist if your sunken eyes get worse and there is pain, dizziness and increased eyelid heaviness even after staying hydrated, getting good sleep, and trying various remedies. Your doctor will examine your eyes and check if there is an underlying disease. Sinus infection, HIV, and thyroid diseases may be the causes of sunken eyes.
Bottomline
Sunken cases are generally caused due to ageing and are necessarily not a cause of concern. However, they may indicate an underlying disease. Get proper sleep, stay hydrated, and eat healthy to nourish your eyes and skin.
