Sunken Eyes : Causes and Treatments 

Do your eyes look deep-set and hollowed in appearance? Well, it could be a case of sunken eyes. If your eyes appear to have sunken back into their orbit, it is termed sunken eyes. Highlighting this effect, the skin under the lower eyelids also appears darker and thinner. 

General symptoms of sunken eyes include double vision (trauma to eyes), dry eyes, dark circles around the eyes, droopy upper eyelids, eyelids that appear far too pulled back, an asymmetrical position of the eyes, and tired-looking eyes. 

Causes of Sunken Eyes:

The most common reasons for sunken eyes are ageing, lack of proper sleep, stress, and trauma to the eye region. Sunken eyes are also termed ‘tear trough hollows’ or enophthalmos. Such a condition can also occur due to underlying health issues, namely, dehydration, allergies, and sinusitis. 

• • Ageing – 

As you get older, you tend to lose face fat and the bone density level also drops significantly. The skin loses its collagen and gets thinner and paper-like. Similarly, developing sunken eyes is a natural part of the ageing process. 

• • Weight Loss – 

When you experience weight loss, you may start losing fat from many areas, which includes your face. A significant loss of face fats can give the appearance of under eye hollows.

• • Genetic Factors – 

Your exact eye position in the socket is also based on your genetics. If your mother, father, or siblings have sunken or hollowed eyes, it could run in the genetic DNA and even you could have inherited the same feature. 

• • Poor Sleep – 

Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep is one of the most common problems when it comes to sunken eyes. If you are not getting less than 7 hours of undisturbed sleep hours, it can alter your appearance to give you a hollowed-eyes look. 

• • Dehydration – 

In both children and adults, dehydration can lead to sunken eyes. Children are more susceptible to water loss in the body and exhibit serious symptoms of dehydration. It is important to stay hydrated to avoid sunken eyes problems and other health issues. 

• • Sun Exposure –

 Relentless exposure to harsh UV rays can cause your body to produce excessive melanin. This can darken your skin and make your under-eye area look darker. The dark circles around the eyes can give a hollowed-out appearance. Using proper sun protection before going outdoors could do the trick. 

• • Sinus Infections – 

Sinusitis infection can make your eyes appear darker and sunken. Severe nasal congestion along with pain are typical signs of sinusitis. You can visit a doctor and get treated for your sinus infection to get cured of sunken eyes. 

• • Smoking – 

Smoking cigarettes can reduce the production of collagen in the body and that can affect your natural skin elasticity. Sagging skin and sunken eyes are some of the side effects of smoking. 

• • Allergies – 

From hay fever, and the common cold to seasonal allergies, allergies can cause the formation of dark circles under the eyes to give them an unappealing sunken look. Hollow under eyes due to allergic reactions are referred to as allergic shiners. People prone to allergies often rub and scratch the delicate areas around the eyes leading to severe irritation and a sunken eye look. Allergic shiners can stem from allergic symptoms like sneezing, nasal blockage, and itchy throat and eyes. 

Sunken Eyes Treatment 

If you have sunken eyes due to a certain medical condition, it is advisable to visit a doctor who may suggest prescription medications. For allergies and sinusitis, doctors can prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines, eye drops, or topical creams. 

In 90% of cases, sunken eyes do not need medical treatment. You can try to improve your sleep schedule, have a balanced diet, and keep yourself hydrated. Some problems are treatable with ample rest and by opting for healthy habits. 

However,  issues with dark circles and hollow under eyes can worsen with age. This is where you need to discuss treatment with injectable dermal fillers produced with hyaluronic acid. Just like the name, they fill in all the hollow areas around the eyes to smoothen the skin and give a younger appearance. Dermal fillers can be considered as the best treatment option for under eye hollows. 

Tips To Prevent Sunken Eyes:

• • Get good quality sleep for seven to eight hours 

• • Drink lots of water 

• • Apply sunscreen while stepping out

• • Use a cold compress around the eyes 

• • Have a balanced nutritious diet 

• • Trying relaxing eye techniques 

• • Using dermal fillers 

• • Using vitamin E eye creams 

Takeaway 

Sunken eyes are a prominent sign of ageing. They can be treated with dermal fillers. You can consult certified dermatologists and cosmetologists at Bodycraft Clinic to find a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. 

FAQ’s Around Sunken Eyes 

How to Cure Sunken Eyes?

While there is no absolute cure for sunken under eyes, some tips to help reduce the appearance of sunken eyes can include getting restful seven to eight hours of sleep, drinking enough fluids, quitting the habit of smoking, applying eye creams, and getting cosmetic treatments like dermal fillers. Fillers involve minimally invasive injections of hyaluronic acid, which is a substance naturally produced by the body. It helps improve the volume loss in the under eye area. 

Why Have My Eyes Become Sunken?

Eyes can change shape and sink due to the changes in the eye socket, which may include reduced fat tissue and weakening of muscles. Both changes are typically age-related and can be rectified with dermatologic interventions. 

How to Improve Sunken Eyes?

Sunken eye hollows can be the result of some chronic health problems and you may need to visit a specialist doctor to improve the sunken appearance of your eyes. He can give medicines or recommend dietary changes along with topical treatments for improving the eye condition. 

Tear trough hollows can be treated using cosmetic remedies if there are no underlying health issues involved. To reduce the dark circles and fix the sunken appearance, the patient can choose the most suited treatment option according to his/her preferences. A cosmetologist or dermatologist may suggest using hyaluronic acid based dermal filler injection to restore volume in the area. This can even reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Is it Common to Have Under-Eye Hollows at Teenage?

Dark circles and hollow eyes are genetic conditions in kids and adolescents under the age of 16 to 25 years. Some examples include allergies, lack of sleep, drastic lifestyle changes, losing weight, and more. Based on the skin tone, the dark circles under the lower eyelid can be deep brown, purple, or even blue. Sunken eyes among teens can be avoided by adopting preventive measures and natural home remedies.