Itching in the eyes: As soon as you wake up in the morning, if your eyelids are stuck, dry crusts appear on the edges and your eyes become red and itchy, then most of the people consider it to be the effect of dust and sprinkle water. Dr. Amita Kaul, cataract specialist at Dr. Aggarwal Eye Hospital, Dwarka, says that these symptoms are not minor every time. Let us know when this happens and in which situation it should not be ignored?
Causes of itching and burning in the eyes
The most common cause of these is blepharitis, i.e. inflammation of the edges of the eyelids. There are small oil glands in the roots of the eyelashes. When they get clogged or bacteria start growing there, the eyelids swell and dandruff-like scales start forming. People who suffer from dandruff on the head or rosacea on the face suffer more from this problem. The second major reason is allergy. Pollen, dust, pet hair or any beauty product can cause severe itching and watering of the eyes. Third, dry eye, which has become very common nowadays due to staring at mobile and computer for hours. Apart from this, conjunctivitis i.e. infection in the upper layer of the eye also causes redness.
What to do at home?
Early care often provides relief for mild discomfort. Soak a clean cloth in lukewarm water and keep it on the eyelids for five to ten minutes. This softens the scab and melts the oil accumulated in the glands. Gently clean the edges of the eyelids with cotton or a clean cloth. Do not rub your eyes frequently, as this can further spread the infection. Until you get relief, stay away from eye makeup and contact lenses. Keep towels and pillow covers separate and clean.
Don’t delay in these situations
No relief even after a week of home care
severe eye pain
blurred vision or blurred vision
thick yellow or green discharge from the eyes
Severe swelling of the eyelid, or swelling extending to the cheek
Redness after injury or foreign body entering the eye
Redness and pain in the eyes of contact lens wearers
Same problem coming back again and again
Easy prevention measures
Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look 20 feet away. Also, normally we blink about 14 to 16 times a minute, but when we look at the screen for too long we forget to blink. Therefore, blinking should always be given priority while using the screen.
Keep your face and eyelids clean daily. Before sleeping, make sure to remove contact lenses and makeup. Avoid rubbing and scratching the eyes, and do not splash water inside the eyes. Wear glasses in dusty and sunny places and drink plenty of water.
The eyes are very delicate organs and their symptoms often indicate early on that something is wrong. With a little vigilance and timely inspection, most problems can be easily fixed. Therefore, if the problem persists or increases, do not hesitate to visit an ophthalmologist.
Also, avoid taking medicines of your own choice, putting steroid drops without checking can be dangerous for you. These drops reduce redness temporarily, but misuse can increase eye pressure, increase the risk of cataracts, and worsen infections. Therefore, do not take medicine on old prescription or on the advice of a neighbor.