Do you deal with gritty eyes? Grittiness primarily means your eyes feel scratchy or rough. Lots of people define gritty eyes as a sensation comparable to having a particle of sand in the eye. The pain can be moderate or severe.
You might additionally experience other signs and symptoms like:
- dryness
- burning
- watery eyes
- redness
- itching
There are several potential causes for gritty eyes and a variety of services that can reduce the irritation.
Continue reading to learn more regarding what could be at fault for the grittiness and how doctors treat this condition.
What Might Cause Gritty Eyes?
Eye conditions or other medical troubles might be the offender for your gritty eyes. Here are some feasible causes together with other symptoms you might have in enhancement to the feeling of grittiness:
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye is a condition that takes place when your splits don’t give sufficient lubrication for your eyes.
Having dry eyes can create signs like:
- burning
- stinging
- scratchiness
If neglected, dry eye can cause infections or damages to the surface area of your eyes.
Corneal Abrasion
A corneal abrasion is a scratch externally of the cornea, the clear outer layer at the front of your eye. It’s often triggered by contact with:
- fingernails
- makeup brushes
- tree branches
If you have a corneal abrasion, it could seem like something is stuck in your eyes. Or, your eyes may feel sandy or gritty. A corneal abrasion can be fairly uncomfortable.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is swelling of your eyelids. The condition could create eyelids to look puffy or red. They may likewise burn and feel gritty or aching.
Occasionally, blepharitis can trigger crusts to establish around the base of the eyelashes.
It can be treated with warm compresses, antibiotics, and steroids.
Allergies
Sensitive conjunctivitis, or “eye allergies,” can happen when an irritant aggravates your eyes. In feedback, your eyes produce a substance called histamine.
Plant pollen is a typical irritant that can aggravate eyes.
Eye allergies can trigger:
- redness
- swelling
- irritation
- tearing
- burning
Pinguecula And Pterygium
Pinguecula and pterygium are developments that appear on your eye’s conjunctiva, the clear covering that remains on the white part of the eye.
A pinguecula is a lump of fat, protein, or calcium. It resembles a yellowish, elevated lesion that normally appears on the side of the eye that’s near your nose.
Pterygium is a fleshy tissue growth that has blood vessels. It can remain small or in some cases expand large enough to cover part of your cornea.
These conditions can cause various signs, consisting of gritty eyes.
Sjögren Syndrome
Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that can trigger dry eyes and a dry mouth.
It mostly impacts individuals over age 40, and females are more at risk than guys.
Treatments might entail different types of eye drops, surgery, or other medications.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Not getting sufficient vitamin A in your diet can affect the health of your eyes and trigger signs and symptoms of dry eye.
You can counteract the deficiency by eating foods that are high in vitamin A, like:
- carrots
- eggs
- fish
- spinach
- broccoli
Sunburned Eyes
If your eyes are overexposed to UV radiation, the cornea can establish a sunburn. This might trigger a gritty feeling in your eyes.
Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease, a condition where your thyroid does not function correctly, can cause eye signs, such as:
- red eyes
- watery eyes
- double vision
- bulging eyes
- difficulty closing eyes
Some people with thyroid disease also report experiencing gritty or scratchy eyes.
Medications
The medications you take can cause dry eyes and a gritty feeling. Some of these consist of:
- antihistamines
- antidepressants
- decongestants
- hormone replacement therapy
- blood pressure drugs
- birth control pills
- medicines for acne
- drugs for Parkinson’s disease
- heartburn medicines
Other Medical Conditions
Other medical issues can activate eye symptoms, such as gritty eyes. These include:
- diabetes
- rheumatoid arthritis
- lupus
- scleroderma
Environmental Conditions
Direct exposure to certain environmental conditions, like smoke, wind, or a dry environment, can affect your tear evaporation and create gritty eyes.
Furthermore, staring at a computer display for an extended period of time can prompt this signs and symptom.
Aging
Sometimes, dry or gritty eyes are just the effects of aging. Dry eye is much more usual in people over 50.
Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery can trigger signs of dry eyes, yet they’re usually short-term.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are a preferred choice to glasses. However lasting use contacts can cause signs of dry eye.
Be sure to follow the instructions on how to effectively tidy, store, and apply your contact lenses.
What’s the Best Way to Treat Gritty Eyes?
Treatment for gritty eyes will depend upon what’s creating the undesirable symptom. Dealing with the underlying condition can often assist improve the grittiness.
Medical Options
Some medical alternatives for dealing with gritty or dry eyes could consist of:
- Eyedrops. Various types of eyedrops may be recommended to lubricate your eyes, decrease swelling, or increase tear manufacturing.
- Eye inserts. Inserts work like artificial splits to eliminate signs and symptoms of dry eye. They resemble a clear grain of rice and are positioned in between your lower eyelid and eyeball. The insert slowly liquifies and launches a substance that lubricates your eye.
- Cholinergics. These drugs assist boost tear manufacturing. They’re offered as pills, gels, or eyedrops.
- Special contact lenses. If you make use of contact lenses, your doctor may advise a specific kind that safeguards the surface of your eyes and catches moisture.
- Tear duct closure. This treatment maintains your splits from leaving your eyes as well quickly. Your doctor can secure your tear ducts with little silicone plugs. Or, your physician may plug your tear ducts with a procedure that utilizes warmth.
- Light treatment and eyelid massage therapy. A procedure called intense pulsed light therapy together with eyelid massage therapy might assist ease signs and symptoms in some people with serious dry eyes.
Home Remedies and Over-the-counter (OTC) Solutions
Some OTC or natural remedy for gritty, scratchy eyes include:
- OTC eyedrops. You may intend to attempt purchasing an OTC eyedrop. Some, like Alaway, Pataday, and Zaditor, have antihistamines to deal with sensitive eyes. Others that work like man-made tears to lubricate the eyes include brands like Refresh, Systane, and Bion Tears. Utilizing eyedrops that are preservative totally free can be much more effective and less irritating.
- Warm compresses. Applying a warm compress or eye mask daily can aid clear up blocked oil glands.
- Omega-3 supplements. Some doctors suggest adding omega-3 fats to your diet plan to help soothe dry eye signs. You can purchase these pills or tablets online.
- Eyelid massage therapy. Routinely massaging your eyelids might help in reducing grittiness.
- Humidifier. A humidifier can add dampness to the air and ease your signs and symptoms.
What’s The Best Method to Prevent Gritty Eyes?
You may help avoid gritty eyes by doing the following:
- Don’t expose your eyes to blowing air. Stay clear of putting your face in front of hair dryers, ac unit, or fans.
- Give your eyes a break. Take regular stops when you go to a computer or reviewing a publication. Throughout this time, close your eyes for a couple of minutes or blink continuously for a few seconds.
- Placement your computer display appropriately. If your computer display is listed below your eye level, you won’t open your eyes as broad, which could help slow down the evaporation of rips.
- Wear protective eyewear. Security shields or wraparound sunglasses might aid block dry air and wind.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking or being around smoke can intensify dry eye signs and symptoms.
- Use man-made tears regularly. Keep your eyes lubricated with synthetic tear drops.
What Symptoms Warrant a Trip To a Doctor?
If the grittiness and discomfort in your eyes lasts for more than a number of days, you should see an eye doctor.
An optometrist or ophthalmologist can aid you identify what’s causing your signs. To aid identify your condition, a doctor might do a complete eye exam and run tests to determine the quantity and high quality of your tears.
When your eye doctor understands what’s creating your gritty eyes, they can recommend ideal therapy alternatives.
Key Takeaways
Gritty eyes are an awkward yet typical symptom of numerous medical conditions, medications, or environmental variables. The good news is, there are a great deal of prescription and OTC treatments that can assist.
If the grittiness comes to be extreme or does not go away, an eye doctor can advise a suitable therapy.
