Dry eyes and conjunctivitis are two reasons that a person may feel as though something is in their eye. OTC artificial tears can help resolve this symptom. Other infections and injuries to the eye may require urgent medical attention.
Itchy eyes can be triggered by exposure to pollen, animal fur, mould, dust mites, make-up or eye drops. The body reacts to the trigger by releasing histamine, causing the blood vessels in the eye to dilate and irritating the nerve endings so the eyes water.
Anything from an eyelash to dirt particles can get into your eye and lead to irritation. Infections: Several infections, including bacterial, fungal or viral infections, can cause eye discomfort. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is one of the most common types of eye infection.
Causes of watering eyes
An eye injury or something in your eye, such as an eyelash or a piece of grit, can also make your eyes water. Sometimes watering eyes can be caused by: an allergy or infection (conjunctivitis) blocked tear ducts (the small tubes that tears drain into)
Signs of an eye infection may include: Pain in the eye. A feeling that something is in the eye (foreign body sensation). Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia).
Painful swelling near the inside corner of the eye. Crusting of the eyelids. Mucus or pus discharge from the lids and surface of the eye. Blurred vision.
Sometimes, a bright red spot, called a subconjunctival hemorrhage, will appear on the white of the eye. This often happens after straining or coughing, which causes a broken blood vessel on the surface of the eye. Most often, there is no pain and your vision is normal. It is almost never a serious problem.
The infection will usually clear up in 7 to 14 days without treatment and without any long-term consequences. However, in some cases, viral conjunctivitis can take 2 to 3 weeks or more to clear up.
Eye irritation can occur due to allergies, foreign particles, or even chemical irritants. The eyes heal quickly, and most irritations will subside sooner than you think. To you, it may feel like a million years though. However, there are some instances in which you should see a doctor.
Uveitis [u-vee-i-tis] is a term for inflammation of the eye. It can occur in one eye or both eyes and affects the layer of the eye called the uvea [u-vee-uh]. It also can be associated with inflammation of other parts of the eye and last for a short (acute) or a long (chronic) time.
The most noticeable symptom of conjunctivitis is eyes that look red or pink. The small blood vessels in the eye get inflamed and make the conjunctiva get bigger, which gives a pink or red tint to the white of the eye.
You may feel like you have sand or grit in your eye. You may notice tears or blurred vision, or your eye may look red. You may also notice that light hurts your eye. Some people also get a headache when they have a corneal abrasion.
Over time, these scratches can add up and damage your cornea. Rubbing can also make your cornea thinner. Rubbing your eyes can introduce small particles into your eyes from your hands, making the irritation worse. And you can transfer germs from your hands to your eyes, which can lead to an eye infection.
Pain. Blurry vision. A gritty feeling in the eye. Tearing.
Seek emergency medical care
Call 911 or your local emergency number for eye pain if: It is unusually severe or accompanied by a headache, fever or unusual sensitivity to light. Your vision changes suddenly. You also experience nausea or vomiting.
Can stress cause red eyes? Yes, stress can contribute to red eyes, although it typically does so indirectly. Your body often produces adrenaline in response to stress, which in turn can lead to tension and dry eyes. As discussed, both tension and dry eyes can contribute to your red eyes.
What does pink eye look like? In an eye with pink eye, the white part looks light pink to reddish and your eyelids are puffy or droopy. You might see fluid (discharge) coming from the infected eye or crusting on your eyelashes and eyelids.
Lack of sleep decreases oxygen that is available for the eyes; this causes blood vessels to dilate and give the appearance of being red or bloodshot.
Common symptoms of a blocked tear duct include watery eyes and a sticky white or yellow discharge that can become crusty, especially after sleeping. Sometimes a tear duct can get infected.
There may be bacteria in the tears which also have nowhere to drain. If they grow in the blocked duct there may be a pus- like (yellow or green) discharge from the corner of the eye and crusts on the lashes.
Carefully clean the eyelids using a warm, wet washcloth if tears build up and leave crusts. For infants, you may try gently massaging the area 2 to 3 times a day. Using a clean finger, rub the area from the inside corner of the eye toward the nose. This may help to open the tear duct.
If you can't identify a specific cause, you should consult an eye specialist. As with most vision problems, the sooner you get your eyes checked professionally, the better. There are many reasons you may feel like something is in your eye, including dry eye, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, corneal abrasion, or a stye.