The feeling that something is in your eyes, real or not, can be so unsettling. For one, it is occasionally accompanied by discomfort, pain, and even tears. While the feeling often comes from foreign objects on the eye’s surface, such as dust or an eyelash, you can have the feeling even when there is nothing there at all.
Fed up with constantly asking your friends to check you cause, “it feels like something in my eye?” It’s important to see a knowledgeable eye doctor who can help address the underlying cause of the problem. While at it, below are the most common causes of eye discomfort that often trigger the feeling that something is in the eye.
1. Dryness
Dry eyes are a common problem that occurs when the tear fluid does not adequately moisten the eye’s surface. When you blink, you leave a small layer of tears on the surface of your eye. It helps keep your eyes healthy and clean. However, this thin layer does not always work well, leading to dry eyes. Dry eyes can make you feel like something is stuck in your eyes, and you may experience excessive tearing and dryness. Some additional symptoms of dry eyes include;
- Scratchiness
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Redness
- Discomfort
The older you get, the more common dry eyes become. Studies show that women are affected more often than men. Beyond that, smoke, wind, and dry air are examples of seasonal allergies that can also cause dryness. Beyond that, insufficient blinking, such as when looking at a screen, can also cause dry eyes.
2. Stye Or Chalazion
A chalazion is a small, painless bump that forms on the upper eyelid. The condition often results from clogged sebaceous glands. Worse, you may have one or more chalazion at the same time.
It’s worth noting that a chalazion is often confused with an inner or outer stye. To clarify, an external stye is a condition of the eyelash follicle and sweat gland. An internal stye is usually due to an infection of the oil glands. Styes, unlike chalazia, are usually painful.
Styes or chalazia can cause a lump or swelling at the edge of your eyelid. Every time you blink, you probably feel like something is lodged in your eyes.
3. Blepharitis
Blepharitis usually manifests as inflammation of the eyelids. It often affects the lash line of both eyelids. Clogged sebaceous glands mainly cause it. Blepharitis can cause the following symptoms in addition to the feeling that there is a foreign material in the eye:
- A gritty feeling inside the eyes
- Itching and burning
- Tearing
- Redness
- Itching
- Peeling of the skin
- Greasy looking eyelids
- Encrustation
4. Conjunctivitis
Pink eye is medically called conjunctivitis. It usually occurs as inflammation of the eye’s conjunctiva, the connective tissue that lines the inside of the eyelids and surrounds the eye’s white area. The disease is quite common, especially in children. The irritation of the conjunctiva often feels as if a substance has been lodged in your eyes. Other signs of conjunctivitis include;
- Itching
- Redness
- Discharge
- A rough feeling
- Stinging or burning
- Too much watering
5. Corneal Abrasion
Corneal abrasions are any injury to the cornea, the transparent dome that covers the pupil and iris. A corneal abrasion, a scratch, or a corneal injury, a cut, are two types of injuries that can affect vision and are considered serious. Foreign objects behind the eyelid, stitches in the eyes, or excessive rubbing of the eyes can cause corneal abrasions. It’s worth noting that corneal abrasions are more serious and are usually caused by being poked in the eye with high-pressure or sharp objects.
Corneal injury can cause you to feel that something is in your eyes constantly. Other signs of corneal injury include;
- Discomfort
- Tearing
- Redness
- Blurred vision or loss of vision
- Migraine
6. Corneal Ulcer
Corneal ulcers are open sores on the cornea caused by various diseases such as viral, fungal, or bacterial infections. Every time you blink, the ulcer feels like a foreign object is stuck in your eyes. Additionally, corneal ulcers can also cause the following problems:
- Redness
- Extreme discomfort
- Tearing
- Distorted vision
- Pus
- Swelling
- A white spot on the cornea.
It’s worth mentioning that wearing contact lenses, severe dry eyes and corneal abrasions, or viral diseases such as shingles, chicken pox, and herpes can make you more susceptible to corneal ulcers.
Are There Home Remedies For Itchy Eyes?
It’s uncomfortable to have irritated eyes. Fortunately, irritated eyes rarely pose a serious health risk. Eye medications and cold compresses may provide temporary relief but may not address the root cause of the problem. Therefore, it’s important to consult a doctor who can evaluate your condition and treat the underlying causes.
