Itchy eyes affect everyone sometime in their lives and can be a nuisance. What is more annoying than the actual itching, however, is not knowing the reason behind it. When your eyes are driving you up the walls, they may just be trying to tell you something about your health. Look closely at what your symptoms might be a bigger part of.
Allergies
One of the top causes for itchy eyes comes right back to allergies. When allergens get near the surface of your eye, your body releases histamines. By rubbing against the eyes further, more and more histamines are released, causing the reaction to continue on. It is discouraged to rub against your eyes exactly for this reason, and to avoid any distress to the surface.
According to Dr. Bishop & Associates, allergies range from seasonal hay fever that cause the standard red, or itchy eyes to an allergic reaction to certain contact lens solutions. If you do have questions about your contact solution, optometrists in Calgary recommend you take it to your doctor right away.
Blepharitis
Putting it simply, blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelids. There are various causes of blepharitis including the malfunction of the oil glands in the eyelids, allergies, an infection, or certain systemic diseases. It usually can be controlled by a regularly cleaning routine, but certain cases require medication. It usually is considered to be a lifelong, chronic condition, but rarely causes any permanent vision damage.
Dry Eyes
When your eyes are not able to produce enough tears to fully moisten your eyes, or if your tears are lower quality, dry eyes can actually become a chronic problem. This can either be a lifelong condition, or something that happens with a specific scenario, like a fan blowing in your face. It also occurs with some people over fifty, who have had tear gland damage, have had LASIK surgery, or those with specific medical conditions. With dry eyes, you can experience a slight stinging and itching, as well as redness and fatigue.
If you are experiencing any itchiness or redness in your eyes, the best thing to do is seek out an optometrist. These professionals focus their time and attention on understand all that goes into eye health, so they will be able to pinpoint exactly what is going on with your eyes, and help you determine the best way to treat it. Eyes are incredibly sensitive and crucial to the way we live, so always look to a professional rather than experiment with your own remedies first.
