Sunken Eyes (Enophthalmos) Causes, Treatment, Remedies & FAQ

Updated on March 14, 2023
Tatiana Cooper By Tatiana Cooper
Sunken Eyes (Enophthalmos) Causes, Treatment, Remedies & FAQPIN

Table Of Contents

    Sunken Eyes (Enophthalmos) Causes, Treatment, Remedies & FAQ

    No one wants Gollum-looking eyes; that’s a fact. But despite eyebags rising in popularity, some of us aren’t really into that. If you are experiencing sunken eyes and don’t know why, don’t love it like everyone on TikTok does, and want to restore your eyes to their usual selves, we have all the info.

    The professional and medical term for sunken eyes is enophthalmos. The “en” references “in,” referring to the hollow look. “Ophthalmos” means eyes; therefore, it means “in eyes.”

    What Sunken Eyes Look Like

    Keep in mind that everyone’s eye shape is different, so sunken eyes might not look the exact same as the pictures you see online. If you are unsure what to look for, check out this chart to see the distinguishing features of sunken eyes.

    Sunken Eye Symptoms Description
    Hollowing If you have sunken eyes, the eye socket under the eyes will look hollow as the fat pockets have deteriorated and decreased.
    Shadowing You might start to see dark circles form under the eyes. This happens when the blood pools and becomes stagnant.
    Thinning Skin If the skin is becoming thinner, it will look more translucent, and you may be able to see your veins clearer than before.
    Overall Appearance of Fatigue If you have sunken eyes, your overall face may look fatigued.

    If you are unsure whether you might have sunken eyes, here are a few pictures to compare.

    Sunken Eyes Causes

    There are many factors as to why you could be experiencing sunken eyes. It’s crucial to seek out the cause first to identify the ideal way to treat the area.

    Dehydration

    One of the leading causes of sunken eyes is dehydration.

    Dehydration can develop in the human body for several reasons other than not having an adequate level of water intake, such as:

    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Excessive sweating
    • Sickness

    These symptoms usually derive from some form of illness and, coupled with sunken eyes, can mean severe dehydration. Other signs of dehydration are increased thirst, low and infrequent urination, and a dry mouth.

    It’s recommended that women drink 11.5 cups of water daily and men 15.5 cups of water daily.

    Latisse Side Effects Sunken Eyes

    Despite its rapid increase in users’, the popular lash growth serum Latisse has a dark side, literally.

    It’s said that Latisse can cause advertise side effects, such as:

    • Redness on the eyelids
    • Swollen lids
    • Eye-watering
    • Itchiness

    Unfortunately, the symptoms can go beyond those into chronic irritation, which has been known to lead to the darkening of the skin on the eyelids and the color of people iris’s, potentially giving people that sunken eye appearance.

    Depression

    Often, when people are depressed, many symptoms, unfortunately, follow suit, which can lead to the appearance of sunken eyes. Lack of eating and adequate sleep are two main symptoms of depression that lead to sunken eyes.

    Trying your best to get fresh air, move your body, get the blood circulating, eat a healthy diet, and sleep will help elevate depression and sunken eye symptoms.

    Zohna Tip

    If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of depression, there are lots of resources online to help. Don't be afraid to talk to a friend or family member.

    Lack Of Sleep

    Not getting the proper amount of sleep is more common in society than you think. Many people aren’t getting enough hours, sitting at less than 7 hours. Lack of sleep can affect your appearance, such as sunken eyes.

    Working out during the day, eating a healthy diet, and drinking the recommended amount of water should help with your sleep. If not, trying melatonin vitamins to get back on a regular sleep schedule could also help your sleep schedule and appearance.

    Weight Loss

    When someone experiences weight loss, especially at an intense level, there can be a lot of changes to the body. Fat will deplete from all areas, even in and around your eyes and face, making the blood vessels more visible.

    That doesn’t necessarily mean you have sunken eyes of concern, but your face looks different from your norm, giving you that sunken appearance.

    Aging

    Aging is a long and extensive process that the body undergoes. As we age, our body loses fat and bone density, and our bodies stop producing collagen, making the skin appear thinner and more translucent. This can result in a hollowing of the face, giving that sunken eye look.

    Aging is a natural process and nothing to be ashamed of. Instead, we suggest embracing it, as stressing about it will only lead to increased symptoms.

    How To Fix Sunken Eyes

    Depending on the cause of your sunken eyes, there may be a way to eliminate their presence. Here are a few treatments for sunken eyes we recommend.

    Treatment #1 Under-Eye Injections

    Similar to dermal fillers, under-eye injections quickly treat dark circles and sunken eyes. These fillers for sunken eyes work by restoring volume in areas that look sunken and darkened by aging.

    Treatment #2 Cosmetic Surgeries

    There are many different types of cosmetic surgeries one can undergo today to fix and alter their appearance as one see fit. Surgeries such as brow lifts, blepharoplasty, and facelifts can have the ability to help elevate the appearance of sunken eyes. Contact a licensed plastic surgeon for further information if this is a suitable treatment for you.

    Treatment #3 Undereye Creams

    The skin under and around your eyes is very different from the rest of your face. It’s more delicate and susceptible to damage. That’s why it’s essential to use proper products in this area to help ensure they stay as healthy, feeling, and looking as possible.

    Purchasing an eye cream that doubles as a skin tightening cream will help reduce undereye darkness and bags, hopefully resulting in a less sunken eye appearance. You can use a jade roller or another face roller to help depuff and disrepute the eye cream.

    Natural Remedies For Sunken Eyes

    If you are wondering how to get rid of sunken eyes naturally, we have the information you are looking for. If the treatment options above aren’t plausible, check out these four ways to naturally alleviate the sunken eye appearance and symptoms.

    Remedy #1 Healthy Lifestyle

    One of the simplest ways to prevent and diminish the appearance of sunken eyes is to live a healthy lifestyle.

    Living a healthy lifestyle means following specific steps, such as:

    1. Getting a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day
    2. Drinking an adequate amount of water every day
    3. Eating a healthy and vitamin-rich diet
    4. Getting the proper amount of sleep every night

    If you follow those four steps, you will likely see changes in your eyes and your overall mood, appearance, and health.

    Remedy #2 Sunscreen

    Sun exposure is the leading cause of aging, hence sunken eyes and undereye bags. Wearing sunscreen daily, even on the cloudiest days, can help diminish the chances of rapid aging and sunken eyes. Wearing a hat and sunglasses is also a great way to keep the sun out of your face.

    Remedy #3 Tea Bags

    It may sound odd, but placing a wet tea bag over or under your closed eyes can be helpful in many ways. Tea is high in antioxidants and flavonoids and promotes blood circulation.

    Remedy #4 Cold Compress

    You are all set for this remedy if you have a cucumber in the fridge. Just cut up two slices and place them under or over your eyes. This will help cool the area and elevate irritation while providing moisture.

    Dehydration is a significant cause of sunken eyes, both internally and externally. Making sure you are hydrating your insides by drinking water is as important as ensuring your outside, aka your skin, is staying hydrated. Investing in a chemical peel could be an excellent way to give the skin a fresh start before you begin its moisture-replenishing journey. Grape seed oil is an inexpensive way to help prevent and restore moisture to sunken eyes.

    How To Prevent Sunken Eyes

    To prevent sunken eyes, you can begin with the remedies mentioned. Not only do those four remedies, living a healthy lifestyle, wearing sunscreen, and placing a tea bag or a cold compress on the eyes, help to elevate sunken eyes, but they can also help prevent them.

    FAQ

    • What Deficiency Causes Sunken Eyes?

      If you are noticing that you have sunken eyes but are unsure of why you might be deficient in a few crucial vitamins, such as:

      • Vitamin C
      • Vitamin K
      • Iron

      A reason why you might be lacking in these vitamins is that you aren’t getting them in your diet. Ensuring you have a healthy and nutritious diet will help to provide you with a good source of those missing vitamins.

    • What Do Sunken Eyes Mean?

      Having sunken eyes can mean many things. It can mean you are aging, not getting enough sleep, suffering from depression, or not drinking enough water. Figuring out why you are experiencing sunken eyes is the first way to resolve them.

    • Should I Be Worried About Sunken Eyes?

      There’s no need to worry about sunken eyes unless they result from being sick or not living a healthy lifestyle. If not having adequate water, proper food, and sleep results in sunken eyes, it certainly should be of concern, and you should contact your doctor to figure out how to get back on track.

    Sink and Sunk Be Gone

    When experiencing symptoms of sunken eyes, it’s crucial to identify the cause immediately. If it’s a severe issue, you want to solve it as quickly and safely as possible. Contacting your doctor if you think the cause might be related to your lifestyle and health is crucial. Hopefully, one of the treatments or natural remedies seems to eliminate and alleviate the causes and symptoms of sunken eyes, and we can get you back to tip-top shape.