The sensation of having something in your eye, known as foreign body sensation, is a common and often uncomfortable experience. It can range from mild irritation to significant pain, sometimes with excessive tearing. Understanding its causes is the first step toward relief and maintaining eye health.
Common Causes of the Sensation
The feeling that something is in your eye can stem from various sources, not always involving a visible foreign object. Even tiny, invisible particles like dust or lint can cause significant discomfort by lodging on the eye’s surface.
Dry eye syndrome is a frequent cause, occurring when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears produced are of poor quality. This inadequacy in tear film lubrication can lead to a scratchy, gritty, or sandy sensation. Allergies are another common culprit, where exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander can irritate the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane covering the eye, causing itching and redness.
A corneal abrasion, a scratch on the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye, can also cause this feeling. The cornea has numerous nerve endings, making even a small scratch very painful, often resulting in redness, tearing, and light sensitivity. Conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye,” involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, presenting with symptoms like redness, discharge, and pain. Eyelid issues, such as an ingrown eyelash (trichiasis), a stye, a chalazion, or blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), can also lead to this discomfort.
Contact lens issues are a common source for wearers. Improperly fitted lenses, dirt or debris on the lens, or wearing lenses for too long can all irritate the eye. A torn contact lens can also cause the sensation, making removal important if discomfort arises.
Immediate Steps to Take
When you feel something in your eye, avoid rubbing it, as this can worsen the situation and potentially damage delicate eye tissues. Instead, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent introducing contaminants or infection. If you wear contact lenses, remove them, as the sensation might be due to the lens itself or debris trapped underneath it.
Your eyes have a natural defense mechanism: tears. Blinking repeatedly can help stimulate tear production, which may naturally dislodge and flush out small particles. If blinking alone is not sufficient, gently flush the eye with clean water or a sterile saline solution. You can do this using an eyewash cup, pouring water from a clean glass, or letting a gentle stream of warm water run over your eye in the shower while tilting your head. Ensure the water flows from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye to avoid spreading debris.
Another technique involves pulling your upper eyelid over your lower eyelid. This action can help dislodge a foreign object from the upper eyelid, allowing it to be flushed out by tears. If you can see a visible particle, gently touch it with a damp cotton ball or the corner of a clean, damp cloth to remove it. Avoid touching the eyeball directly, especially the cornea, to prevent scratches. If these immediate steps do not resolve the discomfort, or if you suspect something is embedded, further self-attempted removal is not advisable.
When to See a Doctor
While many instances of foreign body sensation in the eye resolve with self-care, certain symptoms warrant immediate professional medical attention. If the pain or discomfort persists despite attempting immediate steps, or if it worsens, seek help. Persistent eye pain can signal a more serious underlying issue, such as an infection or injury.
Changes in vision, such as blurry vision, double vision, or increased sensitivity to light, are concerning signs that require prompt evaluation by an eye care professional. These visual disturbances can indicate damage to the cornea or other parts of the eye. The presence of excessive redness or unusual eye discharge, especially if it is pus-like, suggests an infection or significant inflammation that needs medical diagnosis and treatment.
Chemical exposure to the eye is a medical emergency that requires immediate action, typically flushing the eye for at least 15 minutes before seeking urgent care. If a visible foreign body cannot be removed through self-flushing, or if there is any suspicion that an object has penetrated or is embedded in the eye, go to an emergency room or an ophthalmologist without delay. Any direct trauma to the eye, even if seemingly minor, should also prompt a professional examination to rule out hidden damage. If symptoms continue to worsen rather than improve, or if new, concerning symptoms develop, prompt medical consultation is advised to prevent potential long-term complications or vision loss.
Tips for Eye Comfort and Prevention
Maintaining good eye health and preventing the sensation of something in your eye involves adopting simple habits and protective measures. Adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps support tear production, keeping your eyes moist and comfortable. Tears are essential for lubricating the eyes and washing away irritants.
Regular blinking, especially during prolonged screen time, is an effective way to maintain eye comfort. Blinking helps spread the tear film evenly across the eye’s surface, preventing dryness and irritation. When working in dusty environments or engaging in activities with a risk of eye injury, wearing appropriate eye protection, such as safety glasses, can significantly reduce the chance of foreign particles entering the eye.
Good hygiene practices are also important. Avoiding touching your eyes with unwashed hands can prevent the transfer of dirt and bacteria, reducing irritation and infection. For contact lens wearers, adhering to proper cleaning and storage routines, and replacing lenses as recommended, helps prevent discomfort and potential eye issues. Managing allergies effectively, possibly with professional guidance, can reduce eye irritation caused by allergens. Using humidifiers, particularly in dry indoor environments or during winter months when heating systems reduce air humidity, can add moisture to the air, which helps slow tear evaporation and keeps eyes feeling more comfortable.