Why does it feel like something is in my eye?

If you've had eyes for any length of time, you've almost certainly gotten the feeling that something is in them. This can be itching, soreness, or even a nasty sharp pain. There's a lot that can cause this, and the best thing to do about it depends on what the problem is. And,  while this is usually no big deal, a foreign body sensation in the eyes is sometimes a sign of something you should see an eye care professional about. 

Common causes of the sensation

You can get a stinging or scratchy sensation in your eye for all kinds of reasons. If you feel like there's something in your eye, but you can't see anything in the mirror when you check, you might have to run down this list of potential causes before you find out what went wrong.

Foreign body sensation

The first reason you might feel a foreign body sensation is ...  nothing. Or at least, nothing that can be discovered. Sometimes, the nerves in your eyes just act weird, and it might not be possible to pin the sensation on anything in particular. As frustrating as it can be to get this feeling from time to time, it's usually not a sign of serious trouble unless you have other symptoms, or it doesn't go away.

Dry eyes

Your eyes are supposed to be moist (*cringe*) all over their surface. If they dry out, they can start to itch and sting. Normally, your lachrymal glands secrete tears that bathe the surface of your eyes, keeping them soft and protected from damage. When this process breaks down for some reason, your eyes can start accumulating little scratches and irritants in a hurry.

Allergies

Allergies are a common reason you might have dry eyes. Apart from that, the histamine release that goes along with an allergic reaction can cause eye irritation all on its own. Taking an antihistamine can help here, but it could ironically cause dry eyes as a side effect, which is a bit of a lateral move.

Contact lens issues

Contact lenses are in direct contact with the soft surface of your eyes, called the sclera. If the lenses are old, torn, dirty, or you've been wearing them too long, they can become a source of eye discomfort. If the irritation persists, you could wind up with red or bloodshot eyes or even corneal abrasion if debris has gotten under them. If cleaning your lenses is becoming a chore, you can switch to disposable contacts, which can be delivered right to your home.

Corneal abrasions

Corneal abrasions are (usually small) scratches on the cornea, which is the clear window on the front of your eye. This is some pretty soft tissue, and it doesn't take much to scratch it. Minor corneal abrasions typically heal on their own, but you need to keep the area clean with artificial tears and don't rub or touch the eye while it recovers.

Symptoms and when to seek help

While most eye irritation is minor, sometimes you have a real problem that needs to get fixed in a hurry. Don't hesitate to book an appointment with your eye care professional if you're showing any of the symptoms of a serious condition.

 Persistent discomfort is one issue because most eye pain comes and goes in a few seconds or minutes. Discomfort that lasts longer than this could be a sign of a corneal abrasion, which should clear up in a few days. If you're still having eye pain after that, it's time to get checked out.

Likewise, redness and irritation should come and go relatively quickly. If it lasts longer than a couple of days, you could have a more serious condition. You could also have pink eye, which is a tremendously contagious virus that causes red, irritated eyes. There's medicine for it, which is good because rubbing your eyes spreads the infection to practically everything you touch afterward.

Blurred vision is also a seek-help kind of symptom. If you're experiencing severe eye pain, halos around lights, bleeding from the eye, nausea or vomiting, sudden changes to vision or deep pain inside the eye itself, you need immediate medical attention, if only to rule out some serious health conditions. 

Self-care and prevention

You don't have to just sit and suffer. If you actually have a foreign object causing eye irritation, rinsing it out should bring immediate relief. If the sensation is caused by minor damage to the cornea or sclera, it may take time to recover, but you can help it along with simple at-home treatments. You can also prevent further irritation with a few simple measures.

Artificial tears are a gentle way to irrigate your eyes. They gently lubricate the eyes' surface, which can help manage inflammation and reduce redness and irritation. While a few drops of solution may not be enough to flush away foreign objects, they can soothe the discomfort of dry eyes and minor corneal abrasions. Of course, you can prevent a lot of irritation in your eyes simply by not touching them. Rubbing can do direct damage to your corneas and sclera just from contact with your fingers.

Eye rinse

Eye rinse flushes your eyes with fluid to clear them of foreign bodies. Even a brief rinse will probably flush away small bits of grit, smoke particles, and other things that don't belong in your eyes. This is also an effective way to flush dangerous chemicals away if you're exposed at work or in the environment. Many workplaces have eye wash stations, but if you're at home, you can get the same effect in the shower:

1. Run warm (never hot) water at a low-pressure setting.
2. Stand under the stream with your head down and let the water flow over your head.
3. Gradually lift your face until the water is hitting your forehead.
4. Let the water run over your partially open eyes.
5. Continue until your eyes are clear, never directly letting the water spray into your eyes or using soap.

So, why does it feel like something is in my eye?

There are a lot of reasons why it feels like there's something in your eye, and a surprising number of them are really no big deal. Keep your eyes clean and moist, make sure your contact lenses are properly fitted, and get regular eye exams to make sure things are going well. And for something that feels good in your eye, you can find your contact lenses online at 1-800 Contacts—and save a bunch with these great coupons.

 

FAQs

Is it safe to try to remove a foreign object from my eye on my own?

Sometimes, it's safe to clear irritants out of your eye on your own. If you can see the object and it's on the white of the eye, you can rinse it out or gently dab it with a clean lint-free cotton cloth. Do not try this if the object is on the cornea (where the iris and pupil are) because it's really easy to scratch. Instead, try to rinse it off of the cornea before you clear it.

How do I know if my contact lenses are causing the discomfort?

Uncomfortable contact lenses cause a long list of symptoms, such as redness, irritation, itching, and even burning sensations. If you're getting this every time you wear lenses, it's a fair bet your lenses are dirty, old, or the wrong size.

When should I see an eye doctor for this issue? 

Get an eye exam anytime you have severe eye pain, secondary symptoms such as halos or blurry vision, or an underlying medical condition.