What Causes Itchy Eyes (Or Ocular Pruritus)?

Itchy eyes make you feel agitated and really uneasy. Medically known as ocular pruritus, itchy eyes may occur due to many reasons. The worst part is that you can’t scratch your eyes just like that as it aggravates inflammation, spreads germs and might even damage the eyeball.

Here we’ll know about 7 causes of itchy eyes and what could be done to prevent them.

1.Eyelid Inflammation Or Blepharitis


Blepharitis, or eyelid inflammation, is a condition in which antigens produced by staph bacteria on skin, scalp dandruff and perhaps eyelid mites lead to inflammation of eyelids. In most severe cases, blurred vision or missing eyelashes may occur.

2. Digital Eye Strain


Digital lifestyles have made people more vulnerable to digital eye strain than ever. The increased screen time makes them stressed and causes them to become itchy. The golden rule of 20-20-20 can help curb digital eye strain. In this rule, you have to look 20 feet away for 20 seconds in every 20 minutes.

3. Dry Eye


When a person does not have enough tears to lubricate or nourish the eye, it is a condition called dry eye. This chronic condition can be relieved by using artificial tears to keep the eyes lubricated.

4. Use Of Contact Lens


People wearing contact lens daily may experience itchy eyes for a couple of reasons. Using contact lens on long-term basis can increase risk of developing dry eye. Allergens may also collect in lenses making allergies worse. Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) can also cause itchy eyes as they take place when contact lenses continuously rub against conjunctiva.

5. Food, Animal Or Environmental Allergies (Allergic Conjunctivitis)


Itchy eyes are the main symptom of eye allergies. The allergic conjunctivitis is a mini allergic reaction to some allergen (food, environmental, animal or seasonal). Touching an allergen and then your eye might make it itchy. Taking over-the-counter antihistamines and allergy eye drops eases itchy eyes.

6. Irritating Products


Personal care products are made of certain chemicals and ingredients that may lead to contact dermatitis (irritating or itchy rash on skin). Makeup, skincare products or jewellery usually causes this type of allergy leading to red, flakey skin. Making a switch to hypoallergenic cosmetics can prevent eye itch.

7. Some Particle In The Eye


If a dust particle or other foreign particle flows and rests on the surface of eye, a person may have itchy eyes and may even lead to excessive tearing.
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