The sensation of something in your eye, even when nothing is visibly present, is a common experience. This feeling, known as foreign body sensation, can range from mild annoyance to significant discomfort. While it frequently signals an actual particle, it can also stem from various underlying eye conditions. Understanding the potential causes and appropriate responses helps guide necessary actions.
Common Causes and Immediate Steps
The feeling of grit, sand, or a scratchy irritation in the eye often arises from common culprits like dust, an eyelash, sand, or other small airborne debris. Makeup remnants or pollen can also cause this sensation.
If you suspect a foreign object is in your eye, wash your hands thoroughly to prevent infection. Avoid rubbing your eye, as this can scratch the surface and worsen irritation. Instead, try blinking repeatedly to encourage natural tears to flush out the particle.
If blinking is not effective, flush your eye with clean water or a sterile saline solution. Fill a clean container with water and immerse your eye, blinking several times. Alternatively, pull your upper eyelid over your lower eyelid; this may cause tearing or allow lower lashes to brush away the object.
Other Reasons for Eye Discomfort
The feeling of something in your eye can occur even without an actual foreign object. This sensation may stem from various underlying eye conditions, each with distinct characteristics.
Dry eyes are a frequent cause, occurring when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. This condition can lead to a gritty, scratchy, burning, or stinging sensation, along with redness, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. Dry eyes can also cause excessive watering as a reflex response to irritation.
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane lining the eyelid and eyeball. Symptoms include a gritty feeling, redness, itching, and discharge that can cause crusting around the eyelashes. This inflammation can result from viral, bacterial, or allergic reactions, or even irritants like smoke or chlorine.
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, often affecting the base of the eyelashes where tiny oil glands can become clogged. Individuals with blepharitis may experience a gritty sensation, sore or itchy eyelids, and the appearance of flakes or crusts around the lash roots. Eyelids may also stick together, particularly upon waking in the morning.
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the cornea, the clear protective surface of the eye. This injury can cause intense pain due to the cornea’s high concentration of nerve fibers, along with a foreign body sensation, redness, light sensitivity, and watery eyes. Common causes include accidental pokes from fingers or branches, or even contact lens issues.
Contact lens wearers may also experience foreign body sensation due to dirty lenses, ill-fitting lenses, or overwearing them. Allergies to contact lens solutions or the lens material itself can also cause irritation, dryness, and blurred vision. Ignoring these issues can lead to more serious complications like corneal abrasions or infections.
When to Seek Medical Care
While many instances of eye discomfort resolve with self-care, certain symptoms indicate a need for professional medical attention. Seek care if you experience severe eye pain, especially with headache, fever, or increased light sensitivity. Sudden vision changes, like blurriness, vision loss, or seeing halos, also warrant immediate evaluation.
Persistent redness, discharge (pus or blood), or swelling in or around the eye are concerning signs. If a foreign object cannot be removed after self-care, or if you suspect a chemical splash or penetrating injury, seek urgent medical help. Contact lens wearers who experience eye pain or persistent redness should also consult a doctor promptly. Symptoms worsening or not improving within 24 to 48 hours after self-care also indicate a need for professional examination.
During a medical visit, an eye care professional will conduct an examination, possibly using specialized dyes to detect corneal abrasions. Treatment might include prescription eye drops, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications. In cases where a foreign object is embedded, the doctor can safely remove it using appropriate instruments.