Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a foreign body sensation in the eye is essentially based on a conversation with the patient. If the patient describes a typically unpleasant pressure, pain or irritation in the eye, this describes the feeling of having something in the eye. Often patients also say directly that they have the feeling of having something or a foreign body in their eye.

Strictly speaking it is a symptom. It can occur in the context of various eye diseases. A further diagnosis of which disease it could be, usually results from the constellation with the different accompanying symptoms.

Therapy of the foreign body sensation

A foreign body sensation in the eye is not an illness in itself. Rather, it is a symptom of a change in the eye. Since the causes range from completely harmless (e.g., when the eyes are overtired) to acute emergency situations (e.g., a glaucoma attack, an acute increase in intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve), the treatment is also completely different.

If a sole foreign body sensation exists for a longer period of time, this should be clarified. If the ophthalmologist then determines that there is an infection in the eye, antibiotics or antiviral therapy can be used, depending on the pathogen. If the examination reveals changes in the posterior segment of the eye, for example in the retina or even in the optic nerve, it may be that, depending on the clinical picture, other medication or even emergency surgery may be necessary.

Associated symptoms

A foreign body sensation in the eye can be a symptom of something completely harmless, such as fatigue. However, it is just as possible that this feeling is the harbinger of a disease of the eye, which in the worst case leads to the loss of vision in that eye. It is therefore very important to pay attention to any accompanying symptoms.In any case, it is advisable to have a close look at the eye by yourself or another person.

Maybe foreign bodies, such as eyelashes, will already be noticeable, which only need to be removed. However, as soon as you have the feeling that your own vision is deteriorating, that images are blurred, or that there are even short-term or long-term vision problems, you should consult an eye doctor as soon as possible. Severe pain should also be clarified in more detail, although pain can be completely absent even if the eye is severely damaged.

If a foreign body sensation in the eye is accompanied by redness, this indicates that the blood supply to the eye is increased. This combination is very typical for conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva) or inflammation of the uvea (a layer in the eye that extends from the iris to the ciliary body and the choroid of the eye). But also in the context of eye fatigue, or for example in glaucoma – a redness can occur next to a foreign body sensation.

There are also basic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, in which the vessels of the eye are so damaged that not enough oxygen reaches the eye. The body reacts to this by forming new vessels, which can then be seen red in the eye, this is called “rubeosis iridis”. An unnaturally strong, persistent redness of the eyes should be examined by an ophthalmologist.

A foreign body sensation in the eye without any signs of redness indicates that the eye is not particularly irritated by inflammation. This may be a harmless short-term change. However, if the foreign body sensation lasts longer, or other symptoms occur, an ophthalmologist should be consulted even without redness, since glaucoma may also be present. There could also be changes under the eyelids or in the various sections of the eye that you do not initially detect. Infections or harmful influences from welding or UV radiation could be possible causes.