Foreign body sensation in the eye: description
The cornea is the part of the eyeball located in front of the pupil. It has no blood vessels, but is equipped with numerous pain-sensitive sensors and is covered only by a thin tear film. This makes the cornea one of the most sensitive structures in the body. Even the smallest changes quickly become noticeable as a foreign body sensation in the eye.
Sometimes this is due to a small particle (such as a speck of dust) that has gotten under the eyelid. Then – together with the sudden foreign body sensation in the eye – a pressing, burning, itching and tearing as well as a reddening of the eye occur. This is always unpleasant and, depending on the shape and size of the foreign body, can also be associated with severe pain.
Foreign body sensation in the eye: causes and possible diseases.
Foreign body sensation in the eye is caused by either external stimuli or eye disease.
External stimuli
External stimuli that can cause foreign body sensation in the eye are:
- Foreign body in the eye (e.g., small mosquito, grain of sand, dust, eyelash, splinters of wood, glass, metal)
- Draught
- smoke
- computer work
- poor lighting
- glaring sunlight
Eye diseases
Sometimes a foreign body sensation in the eye is also due to an eye disease:
- conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva)
- Eyelid rim inflammation (blepharitis)
- Eyelid drooping
- Corneal inflammation (keratitis)
- Vascular dermatitis (uveitis)
- Inflammation of the sclera (scleritis)
- Barleycorn (Hordeolum)
- chalazion (chalazion)
- dry eyes / wetting disorder (too little tear fluid)
Foreign body sensation in the eye: When do you need to see a doctor?
Foreign bodies that cannot be removed by rinsing (especially splinters of metal, wood or glass), as well as other pointed objects stuck in the eyeball, are an ophthalmological emergency! Remain calm, cover the eye as best you can (without moving the stuck fragment), and go to the ophthalmology emergency room.
A persistent foreign body sensation in the eye, with no evidence of a foreign body and accompanied by severe redness and burning of the eyes, should also be taken seriously. Ask your ophthalmologist to clarify whether it is a local inflammation or another eye disease. If left untreated, your vision may be at risk.
Foreign body sensation in the eye: What does the doctor do?
In the form of ointments and drops, active substances can also be administered to heal wounds, relieve pain or relax the eye muscles. If inflammation is present, antibiotics are often helpful.
If an object is stuck in the eyeball, it may have to be surgically removed. Admission to an eye clinic is then unavoidable.
Foreign body sensation in the eye: What you can do yourself
In most cases, the foreign body sensation in the eye is actually caused by a foreign body. Quite often, it is a small particle (such as an eyelash, a speck of dust or a small insect) that has gotten into the eye and under the eyelid. Such particles can usually be easily removed. Through an increased flow of tears, the eye itself tries to flush out the foreign body. If this physical reaction is not sufficient, you can:
- rinse the eye with water
- pull the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid while looking up with the eyes.
If something lands in the eye, we usually start to rub it reflexively. But this is not a good idea, because it additionally irritates the cornea. Therefore: Do not rub! This is especially true if sharp objects (such as glass, wood or metal splinters) have gotten into the eye. Then it is urgently necessary to visit the ophthalmological emergency service.
Even if a foreign body is stuck in the eyeball, you must go to the hospital immediately: never pull it out yourself!
Caution in case of eye diseases
If no foreign body is visible, an incipient eye inflammation or a serious eye disease is usually the reason for the foreign body sensation in the eye. If artificial tears or an over-the-counter eye cream have not led to an improvement after one or two days, you must consult an ophthalmologist. Otherwise, a situation can quickly develop that threatens your vision.
