Eye Inflammation: Causes, Treatments, and What You Need to Know

When your eyes feel red, swollen, or burning, you’re likely dealing with eye inflammation, a condition where the eye’s tissues become irritated or infected, often due to injury, allergies, infection, or surgery. Also known as ocular inflammation, it’s not just discomfort—it can threaten your vision if ignored. This isn’t just a case of tired eyes. It’s your body’s signal that something’s wrong inside or around the eye, and it needs attention.

One of the most common triggers is postoperative eye inflammation, swelling that follows cataract, LASIK, or other eye surgeries. Even minor procedures can stir up inflammation, and doctors often reach for corticosteroid eye drops, powerful anti-inflammatory medications that reduce swelling and prevent scarring to keep things under control. But these aren’t harmless. They can spike eye pressure, leading to glaucoma if used too long. That’s why many patients and doctors now compare them to NSAIDs eye drops, non-steroidal alternatives that reduce inflammation without the same pressure risks. Neither is perfect—each has trade-offs in speed, strength, and side effects.

Eye inflammation doesn’t always come from surgery. Allergies, dryness, contact lens overuse, or even a simple scratch can trigger it. Some people mistake it for pink eye, but true inflammation often involves deeper tissue damage, not just surface redness. That’s why knowing the cause matters—treatment changes completely depending on whether it’s bacterial, viral, allergic, or post-surgical. You can’t just grab any drop off the shelf and expect it to fix things.

What you’ll find here isn’t just theory. These posts come from real patient experiences and clinical data. You’ll see how corticosteroid eye drops help after surgery but also how they can backfire. You’ll learn why some people switch to NSAIDs, what side effects to watch for, and how to tell if your eye isn’t healing right. There’s no fluff—just what works, what doesn’t, and what your doctor might not tell you.