Identifying 7 Common Triggers of Eye Irritation and Redness

If you've ever experienced irritated, scratchy eyes, you'll know how uncomfortable they can be. There are several things that can cause these symptoms, including allergies, dry eye, something stuck in your eye, or even a scratch on your eyeball. Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to a certain substance, releasing a chemical called histamine which causes irritation. Dry eye is caused by a lack of lubrication, which can lead to scratchiness, sensitivity to light, and a feeling like something is in your eye. If you have something stuck in your eye, try rinsing it with clean water or using an eyecup. Finally, if you have scratched your eyeball, you should see a doctor immediately.

1. Allergies

Hey there! Do you ever get really itchy, irritated eyes? Allergies can be a nuisance, causing a variety of unpleasant symptoms including itchy, watery eyes. This can happen when your body overreacts to an allergen or a substance that your immune system sees as a threat. Common allergens that can trigger eye allergies include pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust mites.

Histamine is a chemical that is released by your immune system in response to allergens. It can cause inflammation and irritation in your eyes, resulting in that scratchy feeling. Over-the-counter antihistamines can help relieve allergy symptoms, including eye irritation. They work by blocking the effects of histamine in your body, which can reduce your allergy symptoms.

In addition to taking medication, there are other ways to manage allergies and prevent eye irritation. You can try allergy-proofing your home by using air filters, vacuuming regularly, and keeping pets out of certain rooms. If your allergies are severe or persist despite these measures, you may want to consider getting allergy shots. These injections can help your body build up a tolerance to allergens over time, reducing your allergic reactions and symptoms.

It's important to talk to your doctor if you're experiencing allergies and eye irritation. They can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment. With the right approach, you can manage your allergies and keep your eyes comfortable and healthy.

2. Corneal Abrasion or Scratch

Have you ever felt like something was scratching your eye? Well, sometimes it can actually happen! It's called a corneal abrasion, and it occurs when something abrasive like a grain of sand or dust gets in your eye and scratches your cornea, which is the clear front surface of your eye. This can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms like pain, redness, sensitivity to light, tearing, and feeling like there's something in your eye.

Luckily, minor corneal abrasions can heal on their own in a few days, but it's still important to see a doctor just in case it becomes infected and turns into a corneal ulcer, which is an open sore on your eye. In the meantime, you can try rinsing your eye with clean water or saline solution, blinking a lot to try to dislodge any small bits of stuff in your eye, or pulling your lower eyelid over your upper one to boost your tear production and potentially wash away the particle. Your lower lashes can even help sweep the foreign object away!

Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry, so if you're experiencing a corneal abrasion, make sure to see a doctor to ensure proper treatment and avoid any complications.

3. Dry Eyes

Dry eye is a common eye condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the quality of the tears is poor, leading to a lack of lubrication and moisture on the eye's surface. As a result, you may experience discomfort, irritation, and even vision problems.

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), there are two primary factors that contribute to dry eye: tear quantity and tear quality. Tear quantity refers to the amount of tears your eyes produce. If your eyes are not producing enough tears, they will not be able to maintain proper moisture and lubrication on the surface of your eye.

Tear quality refers to the composition of your tears. Tears are made up of three layers: a lower mucus-based layer, a middle water and water-soluble protein layer, and an outer oily layer. If any of these layers are not functioning properly, it can affect the quality of your tears, leading to dry eye.

The mucus-based layer helps the tears adhere to the eye's surface, while the middle layer provides moisture and nutrients to the cornea. The oily outer layer helps prevent the tears from evaporating too quickly, which can lead to dryness and irritation.

There are many potential causes of dry eye, including age, hormonal changes, certain medications, environmental factors, and underlying health conditions. Depending on the cause of your dry eye, treatment may involve using artificial tears or other lubricating eye drops, making lifestyle changes to reduce eye strain and improve eye health, or undergoing more advanced therapies such as prescription eye drops or procedures to block tear ducts and conserve tears.

If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms, it is important to talk to your eye doctor to determine the underlying cause and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and concerns. With proper care and management, most cases of dry eye can be effectively treated to restore comfort and protect your eye health.

4. Foreign Bodies

Have you ever had something stuck in your eye? It can be a really uncomfortable feeling. When this happens, it activates the sensitive nerves in your eye's surface, causing it to feel scratchy or painful. But don't worry, there are a few things you can do to try to get whatever is stuck in your eye out, as long as you don't see anything embedded in your eye.

First, make sure you wash and dry your hands. Then, try rinsing your eye with fresh, clean water. You can do this by resting the rim of a small, clean drinking glass containing water or saline solution against the bone right underneath your eye socket and then pouring the water over your eyeball. Another option is hopping in the shower and letting a gentle stream of lukewarm water hit your forehead while holding your eyelid open.

If washing out your eye doesn't help, it's important to see your doctor. They should be able to remove whatever is in your eye or determine if that sensation might be due to a condition like dry eye. Dry eye can make it feel like something's stuck in your eye when, in reality, there's nothing in there. Your doctor can help figure out what's causing the discomfort and how to treat it. Did you know there are even devices called eyecups made specifically for washing out your eyes?

5. Makeup Products Around Your Eyes

Makeup can be a fun and creative way to express yourself, but it can also cause problems for your eyes. Little particles of makeup, like eyeliner or glitter, can get into your tear film and spread across your eye, which can be very uncomfortable. These particles can irritate or even scratch your eye. This is more likely to happen if you apply makeup too close to your eyeballs or use makeup that doesn't stay put.

To avoid getting makeup in your eyes, try not to apply eyeliner too close to your waterline, where it can easily get into your eyes. Use eye makeup that you trust not to smudge or flake, and replace your makeup regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If you do get makeup in your eyes and it's causing discomfort, you can try rinsing your eyes with water or saline solution. If the problem persists, it's best to see your doctor to make sure your eyes are healthy and not at risk of infection.

6. Contact Lens Complications

Contacts are a great way to see better, but if you don't use them properly, they can make your eyes feel scratchy and irritated. There are several sneaky mistakes that people often make, such as inserting or removing contacts without washing their hands first, sleeping in contacts, or using an old solution to store them. These mistakes can lead to inflammation of your corneas, called keratitis, which causes symptoms like scratchiness, pain, and blurry vision. Additionally, if you already have dry eyes, contact lens mistakes could make your eyes even more uncomfortable.

It's important to make sure your contacts fit properly as well. If they are too tight or too loose, they can cause irritation and inflammation. That's why it's important to get a thorough eye examination and an up-to-date prescription from your eye doctor annually.

If your eyes suddenly feel scratchy or irritated after putting in your contacts, try taking them out and cleaning them with a fresh solution before putting them back in. If the problem persists, make sure to see your eye doctor to make sure everything is okay with your eyes.

7. Inflammation

Eyelid inflammation, also known as blepharitis, can cause a lot of discomfort and irritation. It happens when your eyelids become inflamed due to a bacterial infection, an allergic reaction to your makeup, or problems with the glands that produce the oily layer of your tear film. This can lead to issues like crust along your lash line, swollen and greasy eyelids, flaky skin on your eyelids, burning, stinging, light sensitivity, and a feeling of something in your eye even when there isn't anything there.

To manage blepharitis in the short term, a warm compress can help alleviate crust and reduce inflammation. However, treatment for blepharitis depends on the specific cause and can range from antibiotics to prescription eye drops that reduce inflammation. It's important to see a doctor to determine the cause of your blepharitis and get the appropriate treatment to soothe your eyelids and reduce discomfort. It's like giving your eyelids a permanent vacation.

We hope you’ve found this article useful and if you have more questions, it’s time to book your next exam.