Help! My Eyes Itch All the Time

If perpetual eye itchiness makes daily life challenging, your symptoms are well worth addressing. Thankfully, itchy eyes generally aren't serious. They’re also quite treatable.

At our optometry office in Riverside, California, Dr. Richard Bozner and his expert team diagnose and treat bothersome eye conditions to bring you lasting relief.

Let’s take a closer look at itchy eyes, including common causes and ways we can help.

Causes of itchy eyes

A variety of factors can lead to eyes that itch frequently or constantly, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Common causes of itchy eyes include:

• Allergies, such as pollen, dust, insect bites, or pet dander
• A foreign substance in your eye
• Blepharitis, or chronic eyelid inflammation
• Computer vision syndrome, from lengthy staring at digital screens
• Corneal ulcers, or small sores on the eye lens
• Dry eyes, when they lack water, mucus, protein, or oils
• Hormone fluctuations related to menstruation or pregnancy
• Infections like pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Damaged or poor-fitting contact lenses

Allergies are the most prevalent cause, but all of the above can fuel itchy and otherwise irritated eyes. You can also experience the cumulative effects of multiple causes. If you’re prone to allergic reactions, for example, working at a computer could exacerbate your eye symptoms. 

Getting itchy eye relief

The best way to ease eye itchiness is to address the underlying cause. Your provider at Dr. Bozner’s Vision Lab Optometry can determine what’s causing your eye discomfort and recommend appropriate treatment through a comprehensive eye exam. 

If your itchiness derives from dry eyes or blepharitis, your treatment may involve over-the-counter or prescription eye drops. Or we may recommend OptiLight IPL, a device that uses targeted light energy to reduce inflammation and increase moisture. 

You might also need dry eye treatment if you take allergy medication. Antihistamines can help eye itching by alleviating allergic reactions, but they may make eye dryness worse. 

An eye infection may require antibiotic drops and may take a few days to two weeks to clear up. Treatment for eye ulcers ranges from corticosteroid eye drops to corneal transplants. Surgery is less common and generally reserved for severe cases.

Avoid rubbing your itchy eyes; you could scratch or damage your eyes and invite more itchiness. Until you can come in for an exam, using a cool compress or artificial tears may take the intensity out of those urges.

To learn more about itchy eyes or get started toward the relief you need, call Dr. Bozner's Vision Lab Optometry to schedule an appointment today.