Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, involves inflammation and swelling within the sinus cavities. These air-filled spaces are located behind the cheekbones, forehead, and between and behind the eyes. This article clarifies how sinus infections can affect the eyes and what steps to take if these symptoms appear.
The Connection Between Sinus Infections and Red Eyes
The sinuses and eyes share a close anatomical relationship within the skull. The ethmoid sinuses, for instance, are located directly between the eyes; the frontal sinuses are above them, and the maxillary sinuses are below. This proximity means that inflammation or infection in the sinuses can impact the surrounding eye structures.
One primary mechanism involves pressure and inflammation. When sinus tissues swell due to infection, they can exert pressure on adjacent areas, including the eye sockets. This pressure can contribute to discomfort or pain around the eyes, and the inflammatory response can lead to redness and swelling of the eyelids or the whites of the eyes.
In some instances, the infection itself can spread from the sinuses to the tissues around the eye. Conditions like periorbital cellulitis, an infection of the eyelid and surrounding skin, or the more serious orbital cellulitis, affecting the tissues behind the orbital septum, can occur. Orbital cellulitis is frequently linked to sinus infections.
Another way sinus infections can affect the eyes is through drainage and irritation. Excess mucus and inflammatory discharge from infected sinuses can irritate the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye and lining the inner eyelids. This irritation can lead to conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, characterized by redness, swelling, and discharge from the eyes.
Common Accompanying Symptoms
Red eyes, when associated with a sinus infection, typically appear alongside other symptoms of sinusitis. These additional indicators can help determine if a sinus issue is the underlying cause of eye irritation. Facial pain or pressure, often felt around the cheeks, forehead, or directly around the eyes, is a common symptom.
Individuals often experience a blocked or runny nose, frequently accompanied by thick, discolored mucus that can be yellow or green. A reduced sense of smell is also common, as is post-nasal drip, where mucus drips down the back of the throat, leading to a sore throat or cough.
Other symptoms of a sinus infection can include headaches, which might feel like pressure behind the eyes, and fatigue. Fever may also be present, particularly in acute cases, along with toothache or bad breath. The presence of several of these symptoms together can indicate that red eyes are part of a broader sinus infection.
When to Seek Medical Attention and Treatment
If red eyes occur with sinus symptoms, it is important to monitor the situation and know when to consult a healthcare professional. You should seek urgent medical attention if you experience severe eye pain, changes in vision like blurry vision or double vision, or if one or both eyes appear to bulge. Inability to move the eye or significant redness and swelling around the eyes are also warning signs that require immediate evaluation.
Prompt medical advice is also advisable if sinus symptoms worsen after initial improvement, or if they persist for more than 7 to 10 days without signs of getting better. A high or persistent fever, or a history of recurrent sinus infections, should also prompt a visit to a doctor. These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, such as orbital cellulitis, which requires timely intervention.
Treatment for a sinus infection often begins with supportive home care measures. This includes plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and using over-the-counter pain relievers to manage discomfort. Applying warm compresses to the face and using saline nasal rinses can help alleviate pressure and encourage drainage.
Medical treatments may involve decongestants to reduce swelling, or nasal steroid sprays to decrease inflammation in the sinus passages. If a bacterial infection is suspected and symptoms are persistent, antibiotics might be prescribed, though many sinus infections are viral and resolve on their own. In rare, complicated cases, surgery may be considered to address underlying structural issues or severe, unresponsive infections.