Foreign Body Sensation in the Eye

Foreign body in the eye, something in the eyes, dirt in the eyes – definition, causes, diagnosis and treatments

Sometimes people feel a foreign body in their eye, a sort of dirt in the eye. Usually the source of the sensation is in the cornea, which is actually the tissue that covers the front part of the eye. Because the cornea has an enormous number of nerves, the sensation of a foreign body in the eye can cause feelings of significant discomfort. Is "something in the eye" only a sensation, or is there really something in the eye? Here is the information for you:

It is important to understand that the sensation of "something in the eye" can appear even in cases where, in practice, there is no dirt in the eye at all. But the fact that there is no actual dirt in the eye does not make the sensation any easier. In fact, people who feel the sensation of a foreign body in the eye can suffer from phenomena such as pain or redness, watering eyes, sensitivity to light and also blurred vision. In other cases, people can injure the eye, scratch the area of the cornea and more. These injuries can lead to a constant sensation of a foreign body in the eye, which significantly harms the person's quality of life and can even cause irreversible damage.

Information about the foreign-body sensation and the anatomy involved in the sensation

Cornea: the cornea is the front part responsible for focusing light in the eyes.

Sclera: this is the white, fibrous outer layer, whose role is to protect the outer eye.

Conjunctiva: this is a membrane that covers the "white" of the eye, while lining the inner part of the eyelid.

Foreign bodies in the cornea of the eye, may lead to the development of significant irritation in the eyes, as well as sensitivity to light and watering. In cases where a foreign body such as a wood particle, dust or metal penetrates the superficial layer of the cornea (the "epithelium") or the deeper layer of the cornea (the "stroma"), it may lead to the development of inflammation. As a result of the inflammation developing, the eyelids may swell. In these cases redness may also appear in the conjunctival area of the eye. In cases where the foreign body is not removed, a state of infection or destruction of tissues may develop. Likewise, a state of vision loss may develop, heaven forbid.

A scratch on the cornea may be the result of a foreign body in the eye, as well as a scratch from a fingernail while inserting contact lenses, wearing contact lenses that are unsuitable or even torn, chemical burns and more. Corneal scratches may be small, but in other cases large. Usually, the scratches can heal without complications. In certain cases, deep rubbing of the cornea may cause the formation of a scar in deeper tissue, in the stroma, which is actually the transparent middle layer of the cornea of the eye.

Corneal ulcers are infections that may develop into a very serious condition with irreversible damage, when they are caused by bacteria, virus or fungi. In many cases, corneal ulcers may occur in people who use contact lenses. A corneal ulcer can be seen as a round spot, white in color, but sometimes also gray in color, on the cornea. Corneal ulcers can cause pain, a sensation of discomfort and blurred vision. Note, usually this will be an emergency, because it may progress to the point of loss of vision. In most cases, the treatment of corneal ulcers is treatment with antibiotic drops. In certain cases, it may be necessary to receive antibiotic injections in the area of the infection or even undergo surgery. Usually it will be necessary to stop the use of the contact lens until the symptoms pass.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is a phenomenon considered relatively common, as it actually refers to inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (the conjunctiva). As in cases of a scratch on the cornea of the eye, here too a sensation of a foreign body in the eye of the patient may develop. What happens is that small blood vessels in the conjunctiva of the eye become inflamed, which usually leads to the formation of the pink appearance. The inflammation in the conjunctiva may develop following an allergic reaction. In other cases, the inflammation will develop as a result of a bacterial or viral infection. The symptoms may include a sensation of a foreign body in the eye of the patient, redness, itching, sensations of roughness, watering eyes and discharge. These symptoms may appear in one or both eyes. Although such inflammation may feel very uncomfortable, it rarely affects vision. Likewise, it will usually not be a serious health risk (if the inflammation was diagnosed early). Conjunctivitis caused by an infection may spread easily from one person to another. Early treatment is especially important in order to reduce the potential for contagion.

Blepharitis is a common eyelid problem, which is usually associated with seborrheic dermatitis, or a bacterial infection. In certain cases, it will be a combination of both. Blepharitis causes a sensation of roughness or burning in the eyes, as well as a sensation of a foreign body in the eye of the patient. Likewise, states of watering eyes, strong itching, red and swollen eyelids, eyes that feel very dry and the appearance of flakes on the lashes may develop. Anterior blepharitis is inflammation that occurs at the outer front edge of the eyelids. In this part of the eye, the lashes are actually attached to the eyelid. Posterior blepharitis, on the other hand, actually affects the inner edge of the eyelids where the Meibomian glands are.

Treatment of eyelid inflammation involves cleaning of the eyelid area, as well as hygiene and warm compresses in order to help release the debris that has accumulated inside the glands. In many cases, it will also be necessary to prescribe antibiotic drops that help reduce the infection.

Phlyctenule (phlynectule) is a condition that can develop in patients who suffer from eyelid inflammation. The symptoms can include a sensation of a foreign body in the eye of the patient, itching, burning, redness, watering and more. The treatment that will usually be given will include administering eye drops and maintaining hygiene. In certain cases it will be necessary to prescribe steroids and antibiotics for the patient.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes are an especially common problem among many people in the population, which is sometimes caused as a result of impaired tear-production capacity, which may decline with age. Likewise, a dry eye can be associated with diseases such as Sjogren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and more. At the same time, in quite a few people, dry eyes can also be caused without connection to any systemic disease.

The symptoms of dry eyes

When suffering from dry eyes, one can sometimes feel a sensation of a foreign body in the eye or a sensation of a foreign object. Likewise, dry eyes can lead to a sensation of burning, redness and general fatigue. In severe cases, vision may become blurred. Another thing that is important to know, if the dry eyes reach a high level of dryness, in certain and quite rare cases a state of watering eyes may develop (paradoxically) and more.

In cases where people decide not to receive medical treatment, they sometimes use over-the-counter eye drops. Note, if the underlying problem is not treated, there may be a worsening of the symptoms over time.

Antibiotic treatment in cases of infection

Although antibiotic eye drops may turn out to be a fairly effective solution for treating infection, the antibiotic drops can also irritate the eye to a certain degree themselves. Likewise, the drops may cause the development of a sensation of a foreign body in the eye of the patient.

What is pterygium?

Pterygium is a certain growth that appears in the area of the conjunctiva and on the cornea. That pterygium has a "head", a sort of protrusion. This protrusion can grow slowly over the cornea, which will lead to an unpleasant sensation, and to the development of the protrusion usually toward the inner corner of the eye. It is a phenomenon considered related to excessive exposure to the sun. The symptoms of pterygium may include a sensation of a foreign body in the eye and itching, redness, inflammation, a sensation of a foreign body or dry eyes. When a state of redness and irritation from pterygium develops, it will be possible to treat the phenomenon with artificial tears. It is important to know, a pterygium moving toward the pupil may lead to a disturbance in vision. In certain cases, the condition will require surgical removal.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis

This is a chronic inflammation that develops in the bilateral conjunctiva. Usually, the symptoms of this phenomenon may worsen in the spring season and also in summer. This phenomenon is characterized by bumps on the inner side of the eyelid that may also be raised. Likewise, a sensation of a foreign body in the eye and also swelling of the conjunctiva may occur. Additional possible symptoms are: intense itching, irritation in the eye and a burning sensation.