Why Are Your Eyes Irritated?

There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to deal with eye irritation. It can disrupt your entire day and in some cases be painful. There are a lot of different reasons why your eyes might be irritated, which is why it’s important to understand when your symptoms might mean something serious. Reaching out to your eye doctor is a great way to understand more about why your eyes are irritated, but this article can also help you learn some valuable information. Keep reading on to learn a few different reasons why your eyes might be irritated and remember to seek professional medical assistance if you think you are dealing with a serious eye condition.

1. Allergies

One of the most common causes of eye irritation are allergens. Different people have different reactions to allergens and allergy season, so the chances are good that you already have an idea about whether or not you are allergic to something. Irritants like pollen and pet dander can make your eyes itchy, swollen, and red. You also might be experiencing eye irritation as a result of tobacco smoke or chlorinated water. All of these things can cause your eyes to experience an allergic reaction. Eye drops and rinsing your eyes out with warm water can be a great way to relieve the symptoms. Just make sure you are extremely careful with rubbing your eyes when you are experiencing allergic symptoms.

2. Foreign Objects in Eye

A foreign object is essentially anything that isn’t naturally found in your eyes. It can be something like a grain of sand or a piece of dirt that gets into your eyes. These foreign objects can cause immediate irritation that is painful. Your eyes will also likely get red and be more sensitive to light if you are dealing with a foreign object in your eye. Make sure you are extra careful if you think you have something stuck in your eye, as it’s very easy to scratch your cornea. Reach out to an eye doctor immediately if you think you have a foreign object in your eye that is causing significant pain.

3. Contact Lenses

If you have ever worn contact lenses before, you probably already know that they can easily irritate your eyes. Make sure you are following the recommended instruction for each type of contact lens that you purchase to avoid eye fatigue. Also, disinfecting your contacts every day and replacing them at the appropriate times can help you avoid eye irritation related to contact lenses.

4. Infections

One of the most common eye infections that causes irritation is pinkeye. This occurs when a specific type of bacteria gets into your eye. It’s never fun to deal with pinkeye, so make sure you reach out to your eye doctor to get the medicine you need to deal with it. Also, remember that pinkeye is very contagious, so be extra careful to avoid infecting others.

If your eyes are feeling irritated or you simply need medical advice about eye health, you can always connect with Antelope Valley Eye Care.