Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffAs you age, the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken. The skin may start to sag, and fat that is normally confined to the area around the eye (orbit) can migrate forward below your eyes. Also, the space below your eyes can accumulate fluid, making the under-eye area appear puffy or swollen. Several factors can lead to this, including:
- Fluid retention due to changes in weather (for example, hot, humid days), hormone levels or eating salty foods
- Sleeping flat on your back
- Not getting enough sleep
- Allergies or dermatitis, especially if puffiness is accompanied by redness and itching
- Heredity
References
- Tsai LM, et al. The eye and ocular adnexa. In: Doherty GM, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Surgery. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=23. Accessed June 14, 2011.
- Ben Simon GJ, et al. Cosmetic eyelid and facial surgery. Survey of Ophthalmology. 2008;53:426.
- Understanding blepharoplasty. American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. http://www.aafprs.org/patient/procedures/shareable/s_blepharoplasty.html. Accessed June 30, 2011.
- Goldberg RA, et al. What causes eyelid bags? Analysis of 114 consecutive patients. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2005;115:1395.
Find Mayo Clinic on