Question:
What causes the swelling under my eyes?
Answer:
Great question, and it is one I get frequently.
Swelling under the eyes certainly can be due to acute or chronic sinus disease, systemic or contact allergies, and rare dermatologic conditions, such as blepharochalasis. Usually, history and examination by a specialty-trained physician, like an Facial Plastic Surgeon, can determine if any of these conditions are present and need to be evaluated further.
However, swelling under the eyes is often due to prolapsing of the fat pads under the eyes, which is a cosmetic condition, and can be addressed with lower lid blepharoplasty. This is often congenital, and can be seen in one’s parents. I am both a Board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and Otolaryngologist (ENT) and I’d be happy to see you and help you figure out the next steps.
Kind regards,
Corinne Horn, MD
