What causes red, swollen eyes with excessive, thick eye discharge?
Nov 13, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Shuai
Introduction
An unreasonable diet structure, such as excessive consumption of spicy and irritating foods, may lead to excessive internal heat (fire) in the body, thereby affecting eye health. Excess internal heat can cause eye congestion, redness and swelling, as well as increased and thickened eye discharge. It is necessary to adjust the diet structure, focusing on light and easily digestible foods, and to consume more fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins.
Generally, red and swollen eyes with increased, thick eye discharge may be caused by eye fatigue, dietary and lifestyle factors, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, keratitis, and other conditions. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the cause, and follow medical advice for treatment. Specific details are as follows:
1. Eye Fatigue: Prolonged use of electronic devices, excessive熬夜, reading, or working can all lead to eye fatigue. When the eyes are fatigued, ocular blood circulation may be affected, causing eye congestion, redness, and swelling. Additionally, the quality and quantity of tear secretion and ocular discharge may change, resulting in increased, thick eye discharge. It is important to rest the eyes and avoid prolonged continuous eye use. After using the eyes for a period, take appropriate breaks, perform eye exercises, or look into the distance to relax the eye muscles.
2. Diet and Lifestyle Habits: An unreasonable diet, such as excessive intake of spicy or irritating foods, can lead to internal heat accumulation, which in turn affects eye health. Excess internal heat may cause ocular congestion, redness and swelling, as well as increased and thick eye discharge. Adjust the diet structure to mainly include bland, easily digestible foods, consume more fresh vegetables and fruits, and supplement with vitamins.
3. Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by bacteria, viruses, allergens, etc. The conjunctiva is a transparent membrane on the surface of the eyeball; when infected or irritated, conjunctivitis may develop. Conjunctivitis leads to conjunctival congestion, edema, increased and thickened secretions, and a foreign body sensation in the eyes. Treatment under a doctor's guidance may include medications such as ganciclovir eye drops, acyclovir eye drops, ribavirin eye drops, etc., which have antiviral effects.
4. Dry Eye Syndrome: Dry eye syndrome is an ocular condition caused by insufficient tear production or abnormal tear quality. Inadequate or poor-quality tears can affect the moisture and cleanliness of the eye surface, leading to ocular congestion, redness and swelling, increased and thickened secretions, and a dry sensation in the eyes. Follow medical advice for treatment with medications such as polyvinyl alcohol eye drops, bovine alkaline fibroblast growth factor eye drops, fluorometholone eye drops, etc., to relieve eye dryness, promote corneal cell growth and repair, and provide anti-inflammatory effects.
5. Keratitis: Keratitis is an inflammatory condition of the corneal tissue, usually caused by infections such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Keratitis causes corneal congestion, edema, increased and thickened secretions, and in severe cases, may affect vision, accompanied by photophobia. Under medical guidance, medications such as amoxicillin capsules, valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets, and ibuprofen sustained-release capsules may be used for anti-inflammatory and anti-infective treatment.
Maintain good lifestyle and dietary habits in daily life to prevent the occurrence of related diseases.
