Itchy eyes

Itchy eyes are an itchy feeling around the eyes. It can be caused by many things and can occur in both children and adults. It can be temporary or chronic, depending on the cause of the symptoms. However, in severe cases, patients may need to see a doctor for examination and treatment. The right treatment can help relieve itchy eyes and cure them completely.

Itchy eyes

Itchy eyes often cause the patient to feel itchy around the edges of the eyes, on the eyelids, or inside the eyes. Other symptoms may also occur, including:

• Wet eyes, red eyes
• There is a blood spot inside the eye.
• Swollen eyelids
• Have problems with vision or blurry vision
• Can’t open my eyes
• Photophobia
• Eye pain or soreness
• Irritating feeling like there is dust in my eyes.

If itchy eyes are caused by inflammation of the eyelids, small bumps may appear on the eyelids or edges, causing discomfort and causing the eye to scratch or rub more often, which may lead to complications such as corneal ulcers.

Causes of itchy eyes

Itchy eyes can be caused by many things, including:

Allergic symptoms

This can result in itching around the eyes or eyelids, as this area is quite sensitive and prone to allergies. There are many possible causes of an allergic reaction, including:

• Dust pollution
• Soaps, detergents or chemicals
• Acidic or alkaline substances , such as lemon juice or chili powder
• Cosmetics used around the eyes , such as eyeshadow or eyeliner.
• Sunscreen
• Hair dye or nail polish

However, itchy eyes from allergies may occur only in the eye area, without spreading to other organs. However, it also depends on the type of allergen, because some substances can affect other areas as well.

Eye strain

Using your eyes for long periods of time can cause burning or itchy eyes because your eyes don’t get enough rest. In addition, staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time can also cause eye strain and dryness, leading to itchy eyes. Eye strain often presents with other symptoms, such as:

• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Neck, back and shoulder pain
• Photophobia
• No concentration
• Having trouble opening your eyes

Dry eye symptoms

It is one of the causes of itchy eyes. Sometimes it feels like there is dust in the eye or the eye feels burning. In addition, wearing contact lenses can cause more severe symptoms such as:

• There is sticky mucus around the eyes or watery eyes.
• Photophobia
• conjunctivitis
• Tears are flowing
• Having problems with night vision makes driving a vehicle inconvenient.
• Blurred vision or eye strain

In general, dry eye symptoms can be relieved by using artificial tears , but if the symptoms become more severe, other types of medication may be needed.

contact lens

Contact lenses can dry out the cornea and cause itching, which can be relieved by using artificial tears to moisturize the eyes. However, if the itchiness does not go away, you should stop using contact lenses for a while. Some patients may be allergic to the ingredients in contact lens cleaning solution, causing itchy eyes. You can use sterile saline to rinse the contact lenses before wearing them to prevent contact lens solution from remaining, but you should not leave them in the water.

In addition, not keeping contact lenses clean, using them beyond the time specified on the label, or not washing your hands before wearing them can also cause eye infections and lead to itchy eyes.

Blepharitis

It is one of the causes that may cause itchy eyes. This condition has many causes, such as clogged sebaceous glands in the pores in the eyelids causing irritation, bacterial infection, side effects from medication, abnormalities of the sebaceous glands, or mites on the eyelashes. Inflammation of the eyelids may cause sticky mucus in the eyes and hard scales to form on the eyelids and eyelashes, which may be more severe at night.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis can cause itchy and red eyes, which are contagious, so if you have these symptoms, see a doctor for treatment.

The cornea is scratched.

Corneal wounds may cause itchy eyes, which, if not severe, may heal on their own within a short period of time. However, if the wound is deep, it may cause other symptoms such as eye pain, blurred vision, red eyes, and photophobia. If not treated promptly, patients may lose their ability to see.

Corneal infection

It is a complication that occurs from wearing contact lenses, especially contact lenses that are not hygienic. When an infection occurs, the eye will be injured and lead to inflammation, eye pain, itchy eyes, pus in the eye, as well as vision problems. Patients with these symptoms should see a doctor immediately for urgent treatment to prevent the symptoms from becoming severe and causing complications that eventually lead to loss of vision.

Diagnosis of itchy eyes

Most doctors diagnose itchy eyes by finding the cause of itchy eyes. The most common cause is allergies or allergies. However, if you have no history of allergies but notice symptoms that are signs of an allergic reaction after inhaling a substance or eating a certain food, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Initial diagnosis: The doctor will take a history and perform a physical examination of the patient with itchy eyes, especially in the allergic area. If it is found that an allergic reaction is the cause, the doctor will refer the patient to an allergist or dermatologist as appropriate and may order additional tests using the following methods:

• Skin allergy testing
• Blood test to test for allergies
• Food allergy testing

After that, the doctor will take the test results to diagnose together with the health history and other information obtained from the medical history, such as symptoms, diet, and lifestyle behaviors, to conclude the results again before starting treatment.

Treatment of itchy eyes

Treatment for itchy eyes depends on the cause. If it is suspected to be due to contact lenses or contact lens solution, patients should consult a doctor. Initially, symptoms can be relieved by rinsing the contact lenses with sterile saline solution before wearing them for eye comfort.

However, using over-the- counter eye relief medications, such as eye drops , can relieve itchy eyes for at least 4-6 hours, or some brands may work for up to 12 hours. However, in cases of severe itchy eyes, steroids may be required, which must be used only under the advice of a doctor.

However, if itchy eyes are caused by other causes, treatment may vary for each disease, as follows:

Allergic symptoms

To relieve itchy eyes from allergies, avoid the allergen and take antihistamines. These medications can be taken orally or in eye drops. However, some oral antihistamines can cause drowsiness. While taking these medications, avoid driving or operating machinery.

In addition, allergens in the eyes can be washed with sterile saline, which will help relieve irritation. Choose saline that has been heat-sterilized, is clear, colorless, free of additives and preservatives, is balanced with water in the body’s cells, is packaged in a clear bottle to make it easy to see foreign objects in the bottle, and has a tight locking cap to prevent contamination.

Dry eye symptoms

Since the eyes produce less tears than normal, the eyes lack moisture. To relieve itchy eyes from this cause, artificial tears are used. These can be purchased at general drug stores. In addition, in some cases where itchy eyes are caused by being in a dry environment, such as an air-conditioned room or a windy place, the symptoms may be relieved by changing the location or wearing glasses to block out the wind.

Eye strain

It is often caused by overusing your eyes, which causes eye fatigue and itchy eyes. Therefore, treatment focuses on changing your eye usage behavior or resting your eyes more often. One effective method is the 20-20-20 principle. Every 20 minutes of staring at a computer screen or any electronic device, rest your eyes by looking 20 feet ahead for 20 seconds. This method will help your eyes relax more. However, you should also use your eyes less. You should not stare at a computer or phone screen unnecessarily. If the symptoms do not improve after adjusting as follows, you should see an ophthalmologist for a detailed examination.

Conjunctivitis

Most cases of this condition improve on their own without medical treatment. Patients may take care of themselves by avoiding contact lenses, washing their hands thoroughly before touching their eyes, and using artificial tears to keep their eyes moist. Patients who require medical treatment may need antibiotics to treat the infection in addition to the self-care measures listed above.

Blepharitis

Treatment for blepharitis depends on the cause of the inflammation, but initially, the doctor will treat the symptoms to help reduce itching. He may recommend applying warm compresses and cleaning the eyelids with baby shampoo or soap, along with antibiotics if the cause is an infection.

Corneal infection

This is a common cause for contact lens wearers. Your doctor will recommend that you stop wearing contact lenses for a while and may prescribe eye drops or oral antibiotics to help treat the infection.

The cornea is scratched.

It is a cause of severe itchy eyes, so self-treatment may not be as effective as it should be. You should see a doctor for treatment immediately because if left untreated, it can permanently scratch the cornea.

However, if itchy eyes become more severe without any cause, the patient should see a doctor immediately because if left untreated, it could be dangerous.

Complications of itchy eyes

Itchy eyes that are not treated properly can lead to dangerous complications. Although rare, it can happen because people with itchy eyes may unknowingly rub their eyes frequently, causing corneal ulcers that can affect vision in the long run. In severe allergic reactions that are not treated promptly, it can result in pain or loss of vision.

Preventing itchy eyes

The best way to prevent itchy eyes is to avoid risk factors that may lead to itchy eyes. If the cause is an allergy or an allergic disease, you should avoid triggers of the allergy by doing the following:

• Avoid opening windows unnecessarily to prevent dust or other pollutants that may cause itchy eyes.
• Use anti-dust mite and anti-fungal devices, such as anti-dust mite sheets. Also, bedding should be kept clean at all times. It should be washed in hot water, which will help reduce dust mites and mold very well.
• Always wash your hands before touching your contact lenses or eyes to prevent germs or dirt from entering your eyes and causing inflammation.
• Cleanse your face thoroughly with makeup every day before going to bed, especially around your eyes, to prevent clogged pores on your eyelids, which is a cause of blepharitis.
• Clean the air conditioner filter regularly to prevent dust and germs that can trigger allergies.
• Avoid smoking in poorly ventilated rooms.
• If you are exposed to pollution or work in an area where you are at risk of exposure to chemicals, you should wear eye protection equipment such as chemical goggles, a mask, gloves, etc.
• Take a shower to clean your body every time you get home to prevent germs and pollution from remaining on your body.
• Avoid scratching itchy areas as this will cause your body to release histamine, which can increase allergic reactions.
• Use saline to flush out dirt or allergens from the eyes. It is recommended to use saline that has been sterilized using standard methods such as high heat (Sterilization) and does not contain additives or preservatives to ensure that it is clean, safe, and free from side effects. When purchasing saline, consider clear packaging to make it easier for users to notice contamination after opening.

However, if following the above recommendations does not control your allergies, you should consult a doctor for serious treatment. Your doctor may recommend eye drops or oral medication to relieve your allergy symptoms.

Itchy eyes caused by eye strain can be prevented with the following methods:

• Limit the time you spend staring at your computer or phone screen to prevent excessive eye strain.
• If you have to sit in front of a computer for long periods of time, you should rest your eyes using the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a break by looking 20 feet ahead for 20 seconds.
• You should read in an area with sufficient light and rest your eyes frequently.
• Wear glasses that help you see clearly when reading or using the computer, and possibly glasses that block blue light from your computer screen, phone, or other electronic device.
• Use artificial tears to help moisturize your eyes.

For patients with certain eye diseases that may cause itchy eyes, such as chronic blepharitis, they should see a doctor regularly to prevent the symptoms from recurring. As for those who have to work with chemicals, they should wear protective eyewear to prevent contact with chemicals, as this can lead to allergic reactions and itchy eyes.