The sensation of feeling something in your eye when nothing is visibly present can be uncomfortable. This common experience, known as foreign body sensation (FBS), often arises from various benign causes. Understanding these underlying reasons is the first step toward finding effective relief.
Common Causes of the Sensation
Dry eye is a frequent reason for this sensation. This condition occurs when eyes do not produce enough tears, or tears evaporate too quickly, leading to inadequate lubrication. The resulting dryness can cause a gritty, scratchy, or burning sensation, mimicking a foreign object.
Environmental factors also contribute to this discomfort. Exposure to dry air, wind, smoke, or dust can irritate the eye surface and disrupt the tear film, leading to a transient foreign body sensation.
Allergies are another common cause. Airborne allergens like pollen, pet dander, or dust can trigger an inflammatory response in the eyes. This inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye, can cause itching, redness, watering, and a foreign body sensation.
Eye strain, often from prolonged visual tasks like looking at digital screens, can also cause a foreign body sensation. When concentrating on screens, people tend to blink less frequently, which reduces natural lubrication and contributes to dryness and irritation. This fatigue can result in symptoms like dryness, burning, and blurred vision.
Underlying Eye Conditions
Beyond common irritants, specific medical conditions affecting the eye or eyelids can cause a persistent foreign body sensation. Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid margins, often leads to irritation, redness, and a foreign body sensation. This condition can involve crusting around the eyelashes and may be associated with bacterial infection or malfunctioning oil glands.
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane lining the inner eyelid and covering the white part of the eye. This inflammation, whether viral, bacterial, or allergic, can result in a gritty sensation, along with redness, itching, and discharge.
A corneal abrasion, a scratch to the cornea, can leave a lingering foreign body sensation even after healing. The cornea is highly sensitive, and even a minor scratch can cause significant discomfort and sensitivity to light. Recurrent corneal erosion, where the cornea’s surface layer does not heal completely and becomes loosely attached, can cause pain upon waking, months or years after an initial injury.
Contact lens issues are a common source of chronic irritation and foreign body sensation for wearers. Improper lens fit, deposits of proteins or makeup on the lens surface, or overwearing lenses can cause discomfort. These factors can disrupt the natural tear film and lead to a persistent foreign body sensation.
When to Seek Medical Care
While the sensation of something in your eye without a visible cause is often benign, certain signs indicate a professional medical evaluation is advisable. If the feeling persists for more than a day or two, or worsens despite home remedies, medical attention is warranted.
Accompanying symptoms are important indicators for seeking medical care. These include:
- Severe or increasing pain
- Significant eye redness
- Blurred vision
- Eye discharge
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Swelling around the eye
A sudden onset of the sensation, especially following an injury or exposure to chemicals, requires immediate medical attention. If the discomfort significantly interferes with daily activities, an eye care professional can help identify the underlying cause and recommend treatment. For contact lens wearers, if symptoms do not improve within 12 to 24 hours of removing lenses, or if there is concern about infection, a visit to an eye care professional is recommended.
Relief and Prevention Strategies
For managing and preventing the sensation of something in your eye, particularly when a serious underlying condition has been ruled out, several strategies can provide relief. Lubricating eye drops, also known as artificial tears, are a primary recommendation to alleviate dryness and irritation. Preservative-free options are often preferred for frequent use, as preservatives can sometimes cause further irritation.
Applying warm compresses to the eyelids can be beneficial, especially for blepharitis or general eye discomfort. The warmth helps thin natural oils in the eyelids, improving their flow and reducing inflammation. A clean washcloth applied for 5 to 10 minutes can provide relief.
Maintaining good eye hygiene is another important preventative measure. This involves proper cleaning of the eyelids and adhering to strict cleaning and replacement schedules for contact lenses to prevent deposits and irritation.
To reduce digital eye strain, incorporating ergonomic adjustments and regular breaks is helpful. The “20-20-20 rule” suggests that every 20 minutes, you should look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to allow your eye muscles to relax. Adjusting screen brightness, distance, and reducing glare can also minimize strain.
Environmental adjustments also play a role in prevention. Using a humidifier can help maintain optimal humidity levels and reduce tear evaporation. Avoiding direct exposure to air conditioning or fans is also advisable.