anyone have any idea about this?

usually it signifies a sinus infection.

We have sinus cavities allll over our face, and they can swell up at any time.

Have you been taking any salicylates (i.e., aspirin, ibuprofen) at all lately?

My eye has been swelling up occasionally for about 4 years now. I am 32 years old. Sometimes it's when I have a cold, and sometimes I just wake up with it for no apparent reason. It also tends to happen after a night of drinking (I'm not an alcoholic, but I like to go out drinking sometimes ). I can always feel some pressure on the side of my nose when it happens. Sometimes I get a bubbling feeling right before the swelling starts/gets worse, or I'll get a draining feeling right before it starts to go down.

When it first started, I had Kaiser, but the doctors there are totally incompetent. I finally got to see an eye doctor, and he wanted to run a test, but they refused. They are so bad. Please let me know if your symptoms are similar to mine.

Also, if anyone out there has any possible answers, I would love to hear them.

I agree, this is most likely sinus related.
The sinuses can become inflamed due to viruses or allergens- they react by producing more mucus which blocks the sinus openings. When the sinus openings are blocked, the sinus cavity lining becomes inflammed and in some cases you will actually see swelling. There is usually pressure/pain in the area of blockage. We have sinus cavities in our cheeks, under our eyes and in our foreheads.

The other important thing is that we need proper hydration, when the lining of the nose gets dry the sinuses will react by producing more mucus. We know that alcohol dehydrates- so I would suggest drinking one glass water for every one glass alcohol and limiting salt in your diet.

To help sinus swelling/inflammation, I would suggest irrigating with a saline rinse (you can purchase irrigation kits at your pharmacy or a netti-pot) you simply prepare the rinse as the kit directs and then insert into one nostril. It will rinse the sinuses and come out the other nostril, this may help to relieve a blocked sinus and it is very safe. Saline is natural- there is not medication.

The other treatment that may help is an intiinflammatory nasal spray- it is a very low dose of steroid (Flonase or Nasonex). You would have to see your Doctor for a prescription. If these things don't work, I'd suggest seeing an ENT specialist.

Best of luck- hope this was somewhat useful to you.

OK, I will try the netti pot first, then go to my doc and ask for Flonex/Nasonex if the netti pot doesn't work. I think I will also make sure to restrict my salt intake when I drink, since I am already good about drinking a lot of water with my alcohol, especially before bed. The salt thing might explain why it doesn't ALWAYS happen after a night of drinking. It might be happening on nights when eat very salty food along with my drink.

Thanks again.