Sinus Infection Eye Discharge Treatment

Overview

Have you tried all the home remedies for a sinus infection, and has it still spread to your eyes? Sinus infections can be serious and often require medical consultation and prescription medications to treat and protect your vision effectively. While these medications help address the underlying sinus infection, they do not directly treat eye discharge. Those treatments may not provide relief if the eye discharge is unrelated to the sinus infection. That’s why it’s crucial to seek medical consultation if your eye discharge persists, even after using medication for your sinus infection. The healthcare provider will determine the right course of medication according to your medical condition.

Can a sinus infection cause eye discharge?

Sinus infection can lead to extreme discomfort, ranging from excess mucus production,, post-nasal drip, runny nose, sore throat, ear pressure buildup, and nasal blockages. In case of continued sinus infection, eye irritation and discharge can also be expected, leading to continuous irritation and eye itching.

The question arises: “Is it even normal to have eye discharge with a sinus infection?”! So the answer to that question is “Not always.” It is normal sometimes to have eye discharge, watery eyes, redness, swelling, pain, and other symptoms of sinus infection. It’s uncommon to persist longer, even after the sinus pressure is released. In such a scenario, medical consultation and examinations are a must to avoid persistent eye discharge or damage.

Several reasons can be behind the eye discharge from the sinus infection, including :

• Sinus pressure builds up in the sinuses and the surrounding area of your eyes. This pressure can irritate the eyes and the surrounding area, eventually leading to watery discharge.
• Sinus pressure can also cause eye pain, which can cause redness and watery discharge from the eyes due to discomfort.
• Sinus infection, or sinusitis, can also cause puffiness or swelling around the eyes, which can irritate the eyes and cause redness.

How do you know if a sinus infection has spread to your eye?

When the sinus infection or sinusitis has spread to your eyes, you will notice the first few distinguishing symptoms like swelling and redness around the eyelids. Some of the other symptoms that will tell you that a sinus infection has spread to your eyes: 

1. Pain or pressure in or around the eye.
2. Difficulty moving the eye or double vision
3. Partial or complete vision loss
4. Bulging of the eye (proptosis)
5. Fever
6. Severe headache

These symptoms should subside slowly when you seek medical consultation and a prescription for your sinusitis. It can indicate a vision problem or other vision-related issues if they persist. 

If you’ve tried multiple sinus infection treatments and home remedies for persistent headaches and eye discharge without relief, it may not be your sinuses—it could be your eyes! – says Dr.Richard Honekar.

How do I stop eye discharge due to sinuses?

You can stop eye discharge due to sinus drainage by taking the prescription medication or antibiotics your healthcare provider prescribes for sinus infection. Some of the most recommended prescription medications to stop sinus drainage, which eventually will improve eye discharge, can be :

• Nasal corticosteroids (e.g., Fluticasone, Budesonide)
• Antihistamines (e.g., Cetirizine, Fexofenadine)
• Decongestants (e.g., Pseudoephedrine)
• Antibiotics (according to your medical condition)
• Leukotriene Modifiers (e.g., Montelukast).

All the medications mentioned above are prescription medications that do not directly impact eye discharge but treat the sinus infection and its symptoms. With these medications, the sinus symptoms will improve, eventually improving the eye irritation if a sinus infection causes it.

Some over-the-counter options, such as saline sprays, steam inhalation, warm compresses, and herbal teas, can also help relieve the symptoms of sinusitis and eye discharge.

You should know! 

If a sinusitis doesn’t cause eye discharge, these medications offer little to no relief for your vision. A medical consultation and tailored prescription medication are essential for properly addressing and treating your vision issues.

When to consult a doctor?

Sinus infections can cause discomfort, such as ear pressure buildup, nasal blockages, pain or swelling around the area, and sometimes eye discharge (watery eyes). These symptoms should subside with sinus relief medications within 2-3 days. If eye discharge, swelling, or itching continues even after medication, it is more than a sinus problem and needs medical consultation for accurate diagnosis, examination, and prescription medication to treat that underlying medical condition. 

FAQs about the sinus infection eye discharge