The sensation of a foreign body in the eye is caused by trauma, inflammatory diseases, parasitosis, protozoal infections, some pathologies of the eyelids, and volumetric formations. It can be combined with discomfort, dryness, hyperemia, burning, lacrimation. The cause of the appearance of pathological sensations is established on the basis of the data of the survey, ophthalmological examination, biomicroscopy of the eye, OCT, and other instrumental and laboratory methods. Treatment includes analgesics, reparants, antimicrobials, antihistamines, and surgery.
Eyelid volvulus occurs as a result of age-related tissue degeneration, spasm of the circular muscle of the eye of various etiologies (including idiopathic blepharospasm), and is formed after trauma to the eyelids and conjunctiva. The feeling of a foreign body with entropion is due to the constant traumatization of the conjunctiva by the ciliated edge of the eyelid. The symptom is combined with lacrimation, sometimes - photophobia, blepharospasm, aggravated by squinting.
The reason for the eversion of the lower eyelid is a violation of the development of this anatomical structure in the prenatal period, a decrease in the tone of the muscles of the eye, paralysis of the facial nerve, trauma, neoplasms, autoimmune diseases. The feeling of sand (foreign object) during ectropion provokes frequent blinking, is complemented by dryness, tearing, burning, redness of the eye.
Lagophthalmos can be a complication of ectropion, develop with damage to the facial and trigeminal nerve, exophthalmos. Due to incomplete closure of the palpebral fissure, the conjunctiva dries up, redness, burning, tearing appear. In the case of severe hypertrophy of the vertical skin fold, foreign body sensation is noted in people with epicanthus.
Incorrect eyelash growth is associated with cicatricial changes in the edge of the eyelid against the background of inflammatory diseases and injuries. Constant traumatization of the conjunctiva causes conjunctivitis, punctate keratopathy. Patients with trichiasis complain of soreness, redness, photophobia, and lacrimation. The sensation of interference causes frequent blinking, which exacerbates damage to the cornea and conjunctiva. Possible reflex blepharospasm.
Demodicosis of the eyelids develops as a result of parasitism of ticks. It is manifested by redness, swelling, severe itching, a “collar” symptom, a feeling of “sand” or a foreign body. The patient's eyelashes fall out. With the progression, attachment of the inflammatory process, scales form at the root of the eyelashes, sticky purulent masses accumulate along the edge of the eyelid.
Sensation of a foreign body in the eye
Pinguecula - a small yellowish formation in the paranasal part of the conjunctiva. It proceeds benignly, in half of the cases it is bilateral. At first, it does not manifest itself in any way, later it is accompanied by a sensation of a foreign object, dryness, lacrimation, increased sensitivity of the eye to external stimuli.
Pterygium is an ingrowth along the inner side of the conjunctiva. It transforms from a pinguecula or is formed against the background of long-term adverse effects (dust, wind, ultraviolet rays). First, the patient notices a triangular grayish film in his eye. Then join the feeling of interference, dryness, irritation. Against the background of conjunctivitis, itching, lacrimation, hyperemia, and swelling occur.
The cyst of the conjunctiva can be congenital or acquired. It is a vial with transparent contents or a yellowish rounded formation. It is characterized by a sensation of interference, lacrimation. With large cysts, the clinical picture is supplemented by bursting dull pain, decreased vision. Due to constant trauma when blinking, the conjunctiva turns red and inflames.
The symptom can also be potentiated by some benign, transitional, and malignant tumors of the conjunctiva. The sensation of a foreign body is more often noted in neoplasia with exophytic growth: papillomas, lymphangiomas, Bowman's epithelioma. It occurs in conjunctival cancer, localized in the sclera zone, on the inside of the eyelid.
The feeling of a foreign object can be provoked by papillomas and other formations located along the ciliary edge of the eyelid. The cause of the symptom is the friction of neoplasia on the surface of the conjunctiva. Due to constant minor damage when blinking, as in previous cases, swelling, redness, and lacrimation occur.
Keratopathy is a polyetiological disease with a large number of forms. Common symptoms of all types of keratopathy are pain, photophobia, foreign body sensation. Depending on the variant of the disease, the clinical picture may also include loss of sensitivity of the cornea, swelling of the eyelids, a “veil” or “fog” before the eyes, and a decrease in visual acuity. In patients with bullous keratopathy, which occurs against the background of infections, injuries and iatrogenic effects, visual acuity decreases only at the final stage.
With endothelial dystrophy of the cornea (Fuchs' dystrophy), there is no symptom at an early stage. The sensation of a foreign body at the beginning of the second stage of the disease is replaced by impaired sensitivity of the cornea, hyperemia, photophobia, diurnal fluctuations in visual acuity with a tendency to decrease in the morning. With the addition of bullous keratopathy, bullae rupture, pain occurs.
Inflammation of the conjunctiva can develop against the background of injuries, allergic reactions, infectious and autoimmune pathologies, provoked by bacteria, viruses, fungi, chlamydia, contact with irritants. The clinic is variable, common manifestations are hyperemia, edema, lacrimation, photophobia, burning, itching, blepharospasm, foreign body sensation, purulent or mucous discharge. At night, the secretions dry up, glue the eyelids so that they cannot be opened.
With blepharoconjunctivitis, conjunctival damage is combined with inflammation of the eyelids. The symptoms listed above are complemented by intense redness, swelling of the edges of the eyelids. A characteristic sign of viral blepharoconjunctivitis is an increase in regional lymph nodes, bacterial - purulent discharge with an unpleasant odor.
Keratitis is more often caused by viruses, sometimes it becomes the result of an allergy, autoimmune disease, mycotic, amoebic or bacterial infection. Accompanied by the development of corneal syndrome, including blepharospasm, photophobia, lacrimation, sensation of a foreign object in the eye, cutting pains, decreased vision and sensitivity of the cornea.
Rheumatic uveitis has an autoimmune etiology. The symptom is most pronounced in the plastic variety of the disease, which is characterized by an acute course with mydriasis and serous discharge. Subsequently, the list of clinical manifestations is supplemented by pain, photophobia, lacrimation, and a change in the color of the iris.
Dirofilariasis is caused by roundworms penetrating the eyelid, conjunctiva, and less often the eyeball. Swelling, severe itching, lacrimation, protrusion of the eye, sensation of a foreign body, movement in the eye or under the eyelid are noted. With dermatobiasis, the larvae of flies and gadflies are introduced into the structures of the eye and surrounding tissues. Pathology is characterized by severe inflammation, intense pain syndrome (with the exception of posterior ophthalmomyiasis).
Acanthamoebiasis is observed in amoebic lesions, more often develops in persons using contact lenses. Symptoms of acanthamoeba keratitis are found. The first signs of the disease are a feeling of sand or a foreign body, blurred vision, redness, tearing, cutting pains. Subsequently, clouding of the cornea is formed, scleritis, uveitis, iridocyclitis occur. Corneal perforation is possible.
Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a consequence of trauma, iatrogenic effects, increased intraocular pressure. The symptom is observed at the 3rd degree of the disease, complemented by discomfort, a cosmetic defect. Pain syndrome is absent, visual acuity is preserved. All manifestations disappear within a few days, sometimes - 1-2 weeks.
Foreign bodies of the eye are often small objects: grains of sand, particles of coal, stone or metal, eyelashes, hairs. They cause pronounced discomfort, lacrimation, photophobia, visual impairment, involuntary closing of the eyelids. When located in the conjunctiva, all manifestations quickly disappear after the removal of the object. When introduced into the cornea, the development of keratitis, the formation of inflammatory infiltrates is possible.
The symptom is observed with light burns of the eyes, combined with redness, moderate swelling. The sensation of getting a foreign body also sometimes occurs with other mechanical injuries - blunt trauma, eye injuries. May be due to massive hemorrhage, friction during the formation of defects, subsequent inflammation, development of traumatic keratitis.
The symptom is found in dry eye syndrome. Burning, pain, lacrimation, fatigue, increased sensitivity to light are observed. The instillation of eye drops is painful. With a significant visual load, patients note that everything seems to blur before their eyes. Sometimes the sensation of a foreign body worries patients with red eye syndrome.
Complaints about the presence of a foreign object can be presented by people who have undergone trauma or eye surgery. The symptom persists for several hours, is included in the clinical picture of reactive ophthalmohypertension. There is pain, blurred vision. Nausea and vomiting are possible.
Ophthalmologist examination
The cause of discomfort is established by an ophthalmologist. First, the specialist collects an anamnesis: clarifies the circumstances of the appearance and duration of the symptom, identifies other complaints. The doctor evaluates the position of the eyes, the shape of the palpebral fissure, the condition of the eyelids. In the presence of pain and blepharospasm, instillations of painkillers are performed before additional studies. The following diagnostic methods may be prescribed:
For chemical burns, copious rinsing with running water is indicated to remove the reagent. It is strictly forbidden to use solutions of acids and alkalis for neutralization due to the possible aggravation of damage. Patients with injuries should be bandaged to ensure functional rest of the eye. Patients with dry eye syndrome are recommended to use special drops. In inflammatory diseases, it is important to follow the rules of hygiene, use the means prescribed by the doctor in order to avoid the development of complications.
Tactics of treatment is determined by the etiology of the disease. The therapeutic regimen may include the following medications:
The need and tactics of surgical intervention are determined by the nature of the pathology. Can be performed: