What should I do if I feel like there's something in my eye, but there actually isn't?

Apr 27, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Cui Xin

Introduction

In general, the sensation of having something in the eye despite nothing being present may be related to conditions such as conjunctivitis, floaters, or trichiasis, and different causes require different treatments. Additionally, it could also be associated with keratitis or conjunctival concretions. It is recommended that patients seek medical attention promptly when experiencing discomfort and receive standardized treatment under a doctor's guidance, which helps promote recovery.

Generally, the sensation of having something in the eye despite nothing being visibly present may be related to conditions such as conjunctivitis, floaters (muscae volitantes), trichiasis, or other causes. Different underlying causes require different treatment approaches. Specific details are as follows:

1. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the conjunctiva, commonly caused by microbial infections or external irritants, and is a relatively common eye disease. Symptoms are mostly localized to the eye and include a foreign body sensation, burning, increased discharge, itching, photophobia, and tearing. The foreign body sensation can lead patients to feel as if there is something in the eye when there is not. Patients are advised to use medications such as chloramphenicol eye drops or tobramycin eye drops under medical supervision.

2. Floaters (Muscae Volitantes)

Floaters refer to the perception of small moving dark spots or shadows in the visual field, which are more noticeable when viewing bright or white backgrounds. This condition may cause patients to feel as if there is something in their eye even though nothing is physically present. It is recommended that patients use medications such as compound neomycin sulfate eye drops or tobramycin-dexamethasone eye drops under a doctor's guidance. In severe cases, patients may consider vitrectomy after consulting with a physician.

3. Trichiasis

Trichiasis refers to eyelashes that turn inward toward the eyeball. The irritation caused by the misdirected lashes may create a sensation of having a foreign body in the eye, despite no actual object being present. This condition is often accompanied by additional symptoms such as eye pain, excessive tearing, redness, and photophobia. Patients should seek medical evaluation at a hospital, where a doctor may remove the ingrown lashes using forceps.

In addition to the above, this sensation may also be associated with keratitis, conjunctival concretions, or other causes. Patients experiencing discomfort should seek timely medical attention and receive standardized treatment under professional guidance to promote recovery.

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Why does it feel like there's a foreign object in my eye, but I can't get it out?

Feeling like there is a foreign body in the eye, yet unable to remove it, may be caused by prolonged reading, or extended use of mobile phones and computers, as well as frequent late nights leading to excessive eye fatigue. It could also result from eye injuries causing inward-growing eyelashes (trichiasis) that irritate the eyeball, allergic conjunctivitis causing inflammatory irritation, or dry eye syndrome due to eye strain, reduced tear secretion, or excessively rapid tear evaporation.

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What could be the reason for always feeling like there's something in the eye?

A constant sensation of having something in the eye may be caused by conditions such as foreign body, conjunctivitis, keratitis, or others. Treatment should be based on the specific underlying cause. Besides the aforementioned conditions, other causes like dry eye syndrome may also be responsible. Patients should promptly visit an ophthalmologist for examination and follow medical advice for treatment. During treatment, it is important to avoid spicy or irritating foods and to keep the affected area clean and dry.

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What causes the sensation of having something irritating in the eye, and what should be done about it?

A sensation of something scratching the eye may be related to factors such as excessive fatigue, pterygium, or dry eye syndrome. Treatment can include daily care and local medication. Specific analysis is as follows: prolonged熬夜 (staying up late) or extended use of electronic devices may lead to excessive fatigue of the eye muscles, resulting in symptoms such as a foreign body sensation, pain, and eye fatigue.

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What causes the sensation of always feeling something in the eye, and what should be done about it?

In general, the sensation of having something in the eye may be caused by foreign bodies in the eye, eye strain, conjunctivitis, keratitis, or blepharitis. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a reputable hospital. It's important to develop good eye-use habits, avoid rubbing eyes with dirty hands, maintain humid indoor air to reduce irritation from foreign particles, have regular vision check-ups, and practice proper eye care.