Eye health resource
Why Does It Feel Like Something Is Stuck in My Eye?
A gritty or foreign-body sensation can come from dry eye, an abrasion, allergy, inflammation, or a true foreign body. Learn when to seek prompt care.
Reviewed for accuracy by Justin Bazan, OD on .
A persistent “something is in my eye” feeling is often called a foreign-body sensation. Sometimes there really is dust, an eyelash, or another object in the eye. But the same gritty or scratchy feeling can also come from dry eye, a corneal abrasion, allergies, eyelid inflammation, infection, or another problem affecting the eye's surface.
Do not keep rubbing an eye that feels scratched or irritated. If you wear contact lenses, remove them when significant irritation begins and do not put them back in until the cause is clear and the eye feels normal or an eye-care professional tells you it is safe.
When the Feeling May Be a True Foreign Body
Dust, sand, an eyelash, plant material, or other loose debris can become trapped under the eyelid or on the surface of the eye. A small superficial particle may rinse free with clean water or sterile saline.
Do not dig at the eye with tweezers, fingernails, cotton swabs, or another object. Do not try to remove anything that appears embedded in the eye.
Metal, glass, or other high-velocity material is different. If something struck the eye while grinding, drilling, hammering, doing construction work, or performing another high-speed activity, an apparently tiny fragment can be more serious than it looks. An embedded or penetrating foreign body requires urgent/emergency evaluation rather than home removal.
Corneal Abrasion
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the clear front surface of the eye. It may occur after a fingernail injury, rubbing, contact-lens problem, plant material, or a foreign body.
Typical symptoms can include:
- Sharp pain or a persistent gritty feeling
- Tearing
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
Many small abrasions heal quickly, but an eye examination can determine whether the cornea is actually scratched, whether a foreign body remains, and whether treatment is needed. Contact-lens wearers deserve particular caution because corneal infection can progress quickly.
Dry Eye Can Feel Like Something Is Stuck in the Eye
Dry eye can produce burning, stinging, fluctuating vision, tearing, and a sandy or gritty sensation even when no object is present. The problem may involve insufficient tears, tears that evaporate too quickly, eyelid or oil-gland problems, medication effects, environment, contact-lens wear, or other factors.
Park Slope Eye's current dry-eye treatment options may include over-the-counter artificial tears, lid-hygiene cleansers, prescription eye drops, and punctal plugs when appropriate. Treatment depends on what is contributing to the symptoms.
Allergy, Blepharitis, and Conjunctivitis
Eye allergies often cause intense itching, watering, and redness. Blepharitis can cause crusting and irritation along the eyelid margins. Conjunctivitis can also cause redness, discharge, tearing, and a foreign-body sensation.
These conditions can look similar to one another, so a persistent red or uncomfortable eye should not automatically be assumed to be allergy or “pink eye,” especially when pain, light sensitivity, or reduced vision is present.
When to Seek Prompt or Emergency Care
Seek prompt medical evaluation if the sensation is persistent or significant, especially when it is accompanied by:
- Moderate or severe eye pain
- Sudden or significant vision change
- Marked light sensitivity
- Significant redness or swelling
- Thick discharge
- A contact-lens-related painful red eye
- Concern that an object is embedded in or has penetrated the eye
If a chemical gets into the eye, begin flushing immediately with clean lukewarm water for at least 20 minutes and seek emergency care. Do not delay irrigation while trying to contact the office. Our Urgent & Emergency Eye Guidance explains what to do when an eye problem is urgent or may be a true emergency.
What to Do If It Is Urgent but Not an Emergency
For an urgent but non-emergency eye concern, Park Slope Eye prefers email for routine communication. If the concern is time-sensitive, calling as well may be appropriate. Email is not monitored continuously and should not be used in place of emergency care.
If the feeling is mild but keeps returning, book an appointment so the eye surface, eyelids, contact lenses, and tear film can be evaluated.
Originally published . Substantially updated .