Top 6 Causes of Eye Irritation

Dry Eye Syndrome

Eye irritation is commonly caused by dry eyes. Dry eye syndrome happens when the tear glands do not make the right amount of tears or make low-quality tears.

If your eyes sting or feel dry and scratchy, you may have dry eye syndrome. A lack of tears and moisture can also cause blurry vision.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Irritation in the eyes can also be caused by infections.

Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as "pink eye," is inflammation of the clear membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye (conjunctiva).

The most noticeable symptom of conjunctivitis is eyes that look red or pink. The small blood vessels in the eye get inflamed and make the conjunctiva get bigger, which gives a pink or red tint to the white of the eye.

Pink eye is usually thought of as a highly contagious illness that's caused by a virus, especially in kids. However, bacteria and fungi can also cause pink eye.

Treatment for pink eye can include home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and prescription medications.

Eye Allergies

If you tend to have eye irritation at certain times of the year, allergies could be to blame. Many people with eye irritation have seasonal eye allergies.

Eye allergies can be very uncomfortable and can get in the way of your usual daily activities. The symptoms of eye allergies can include watery eyes, vision changes, and intense eye itching. 

Like other allergies, eye allergy treatment means figuring out what your triggers are and avoiding them. The "trigger" is the substance (like pollen) that causes you to have symptoms.

For example, if pollen irritates your eyes, you might try to stay inside on days when the pollen count is high, or during the times of day when pollen is at the highest levels.

Keeping your home's windows closed and using quality filters on air conditioners can also help limit eye-irritating triggers.

Blepharitis

Eye irritation can also be caused by specific eye disorders.

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid. It commonly causes red, crusty eyelids in kids and adults.

If you have blepharitis, your symptoms will probably be worst when you first wake up in the morning. You may find flakes of debris on your pillow or stuck to your eyelashes. 

If you don't wash your face (and eyes) often or well enough, you might be more likely to get blepharitis.

Corneal Ulcer

Irritation of the eyes can also happen if the eye is injured.

A corneal ulcer is an erosion or an open sore on the surface of the clear dome-like structure on the front part of the eye called the cornea. The sores are common in people who wear contact lenses—especially if they leave them in overnight.

Corneal ulcers can cause intense eye pain, light sensitivity, and redness. Some people feel constant eye irritation from a corneal ulcer.

You'll need to see a provider for corneal ulcer treatment. You might need to take an antibiotic, use special eye drops, or use OTC pain relievers. You will probably have to stop wearing contacts until the ulcer heals.

Trichiasis

Eye irritation sometimes comes from the eyelashes rather than the eyeball. Your eyelashes can be very coarse and can scratch your eye when you blink.

Your eyelashes can also grow in the wrong direction—a condition called trichiasis.

Trichiasis can be subtle—you might not notice it when you're looking at your eyes in the mirror. Even if you can't see it, you might feel irritation in your eyes.

It might not seem like a major problem but trichiasis can cause real damage to the cornea.

The treatment for trichiasis is to remove the eyelash or eyelashes that are causing the damage. However, since the eyelash growth cycle is about two to three months long, the troublesome eyelashes might grow back.

Summary

Irritation in your eyes can have many causes. Depending on what is causing your symptoms, eye irritation treatments can range from using medications to avoiding triggers.

If you're having constant eye irritation that's not getting better, it's important to tell your provider. Some causes of eye irritation can damage your eyes the longer they go on.

While it could have a simple cause, the problem may not resolve until you get the right treatment.