It’s so uncomfortable and annoying — that feeling that something is in your eye, but nothing appears to be there. There are a lot of eye ailments that can cause foreign-body sensation. Often, this problem is associated with the cornea. This clear area is filled with nerve fibers. When something interferes with the cornea, a scratch (abrasion) may result. If the sensation persists, professional removal and treatment will be necessary.
Other problems that can cause foreign-body sensation include:
• Dry eyes
• Debris caught under the eyelid
• An eyelash that is rubbing against the eye surface
• Conjuctivitis (pink eye)
• The eyelid turning in or out
• Blepharitis (inflammation of the lashes)
Oftentimes, the cause of the problem is obvious. At times, however, a patient simply wakes up in the morning with a foreign-body sensation that can’t be easily explained. Sometimes a scratch to the cornea seems to heal very quickly, yet it hasn’t really healed at all. Instead, the area has been weakened, and movement as gentle as opening the eyes first thing in the morning causes the irritation to reoccur. Ointments or other lubricants may be prescribed to help complete healing take place.
Whenever you feel there’s something in your eye, seek professional help. We can do a complete examination to discover the cause of the problem and prescribe treatment to help the eye make the best possible recovery.
For more information, please contact Advanced Vision Care Optometry at 661-257-4499.