What does itchy eyes mean?
Itchy eyes is the term patients use to describe itchy eyes. This symptom causes eye discomfort that leads them to rub their eyes, which ultimately causes the itching to become more prolonged.
What is the reason for itchy eyes?
Most of the time, itchy eyes are caused by some type of allergic conjunctivitis. An irritant substance (called an allergen) – such as pollen, dust or animal fluff – causes the release of histamines in the conjunctiva or outermost tissue of the eyes, resulting in itching, redness and swelling or edema.
Allergic conjunctivitis comes in many forms and can be seasonal or perennial. Seasonal conjunctivitis is extremely common in the spring and fall, as it coincides with high pollen levels and exposure to outdoor allergens. Perennial conjunctivitis, on the other hand, is present throughout the year and is caused by mold and dust, among others.
Occasionally, a product you are using may cause allergy-related itchy eyes. For example, some people develop allergies to contact lens solutions. Other products include artificial tears used to treat dry eyes, make-up and lotions, creams and soaps.
Another common cause of itchy eyes is dry eye. Dry eye is caused by a lack of tear film due to low secretion or tears evaporating faster than normal. Lacrimal secretion deficiency is due to atrophy of the lacrimal glands, which is usually immunological (Sjögren’s disease). Evaporative dry eye occurs because the outermost layer of the tear film is defective.
The use of computers, tablets and smartphones, air conditioning and dry environments worsen dry eye and cause more itching.
Similarly, if the eyelids are red and inflamed, it is possible that there is blepharitis, which is caused by bacteria and in some cases by microscopic mites that live in the eyelids also producing itching at the edge of the eyelids.
With the use of contact lenses, if they are worn for too many hours or not replaced enough, itchy eyes may appear.
What are the consequences of dry eyes?
In addition to the various symptoms caused by dry eye: itching, burning, gritty sensation and ocular redness, the lack or alteration of the tear film can affect the surface of the conjunctiva causing conjunctivitis and especially the surface of the cornea, damaging the epithelial cells and producing a chronic keratitis. This keratitis may be complicated by an infectious corneal ulcer that could evolve into scarring and alter vision.
Why do eyes become red?
Red eyes are due to dilation of the very small blood vessels (capillaries) located between the sclera (outermost layer of the eyeball) and the transparent conjunctiva covering the eye.
In general, red eyes are caused by allergy, eye fatigue, overuse of contact lenses or common eye infections, such as conjunctivitis. But sometimes the cause of redness is more serious and is due to processes such as: corneal ulcers, scleritis, uveitis or acute glaucoma in these cases the redness is greater and is usually accompanied by eye pain.
How can we treat these symptoms?
All these symptoms can be treated, but a specialist should always be consulted to diagnose the cause. In the case of allergic conjunctivitis, the main treatment will be antihistamines in eye drops since histamine is the main cause of itching.
The basic treatment for dry eye is artificial tears, although there are other measures that the specialist may recommend, depending on the type of dry eye.
Ocular redness can be banal or due to serious causes, so it is always necessary to see a specialist or ophthalmologist to prescribe the most appropriate treatment.