Gritty Eyes

For many people who suffer from dry eyes that feel like sandpaper, it’s just an uncomfortable annoyance. But more often than not, gritty eyes are a symptom of a serious underlying condition that, left untreated, may drastically affect your vision. For the most accurate diagnosis and best treatment for gritty eyes, call Eye Physicians in Downtown Manhattan. Get itchy gritty eyes treatment at the first sign of trouble.

    What’s the Definition of Gritty Eyes?

    If you’re bothered by gritty eyes, it usually means your eyes feel irritated or scratchy even though no foreign object is present. Along with the gritty sensation, you may also experience pain, eye inflammation or watery eyes.

    The discomfort of gritty eyes can range anywhere from mild to severe, and often impacts aspects of daily life. Constant rubbing and coating with eye drops become a real nuisance. The good news is that itchy gritty eyes treatment is available to alleviate and manage the symptoms.

    When you need advice for the best gritty eyes treatment in the New York City area, the optometrists at Eye Physicians are experts at dry gritty eyes treatment as well as a full range of other eye services for you and your children.  Their experienced doctors provide effective comprehensive eye care options for all your eye health needs. The Manhattan team gets you in and out of appointments in under an hour.

    What Are the Symptoms of Dry Gritty Eyes?

    Grittiness in one or more eyes doesn’t always feel the same from person to person. Regardless, many sufferers report that no amount of rubbing or blinking makes the gritty eyes feeling go away.

    You might describe the sensation as a feeling of:

    • Scratchiness
    • Dryness that can’t be relieved with drops
    • Sandiness
    • Something in the eye, such as dust or an eyelash — but nothing is there

    Some people become conscious of the gritty feeling gradually, while others experience it more suddenly. Either way, it’s a condition that should be checked by an eye doctor who knows how to treat dry gritty eyes and diagnose it properly. The cause could be a sign of something that warrants immediate intervention.

    Often, the gritty feeling in your eyes is accompanied by other issues, such as:

    Gritty Eyes Symptoms

    What’s the Most Common Cause for Gritty Eyes?

    The most common cause for gritty feeling eyes is dry eye syndrome or dry eye disease. About 20 percent of Americans need dry gritty eyes treatment. It’s a condition that has no cure, but it can be managed.

    A wide array of causes lead to dry eye, such as

    • Aging
    • Medication
    • Disease
    • Surgery
    • The environment

    In addition to dry eyes conditions, a wide range of other issues may lead you to seek gritty eyes treatment.

    Causes vary greatly, but often fall into categories like:

    • Infections
    • Environment, injury and medication
    • Other diseases and disorders
    • Gland misfunction and ulcers

    The list of possible reasons for your gritty eyes can be overwhelming, which is why you need to visit experienced experts in eye care who know how to treat dry gritty eyes effectively. Your best doctors at Downtown Manhattan Eye Physicians have the tests and training to arrive at the best treatment for itchy gritty eyes.

    Advanced diagnostic techniques and extensive training lead to other potential causes that need to be treated first, and may include:

    • Stye. This is a tiny red lump that appears under the eyelid or at the eyelash. Styes are typically caused by bacterial infections.
    • Conjunctivitis. (Conjunctivitis) This happens when the conjunctiva — or clear tissue over the white area — becomes irritated. Pink eye is caused by allergies, bacteria and viruses.
    • Fungal keratitis. This infection of the cornea is caused by injury or contact lenses. Untreated, fungal keratitis can cause blindness.
    • Sunburned eyes. Prolonged exposures to sun or tanning beds without eye protection may damage eye function.
    • Corneal abrasion. This occurs when the transparent layer covering the pupil and iris is scratched, whether from impact or overuse of contact lens wearing.
    • Corneal laceration. A deeper cut than an abrasion, this injury should receive immediate medical attention Care from your NYC eye doctors.
    • Pinguecula and pterygium. These are growths that occur on the eye’s clear tissue. They’re caused by a mix of wind, dust and UV rays.
    • Prostaglandin analogs. These are eye drops used to treat glaucoma. The side effects often cause stinging, painful eyes.
    • Blepharitis. This is an inflammation of the eyelids, often common in people who have oily skin, rosacea or dandruff.
    • Sjogren’s syndrome. This is an autoimmune disease that can cause the immune system to damage healthy tissue.
    • Cogan’s dystrophy or Map-dot-fingerprint. This is an inherited condition where microcysts form in the eye, sometimes leading to corneal erosions. It’s typically found in people over 30.
    • Keratitis or corneal ulcer. Eye infections sometimes cause open sores, or ulcers to form on the cornea.
    • Meibomian gland dysfunction. These tiny tear glands produce oil along the edge of the eyelid. If they clog up or reduce production, the eye becomes inflamed and irritated.
    • Thyroid eye disease. The result of an overactive thyroid gland, this disease causes inflammation, pressure and blurry vision.
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    What’s the Best Treatment for Gritty Eyes?

    A variety of treatments are used to battle the discomfort of gritty eyes. The best treatment for your gritty eyes depends on what’s causing the condition. Once that’s determined and effectively addressed, your Manhattan eye doctor gives you the appropriate prescriptions and/or procedures.

    Some typical remedies include:

    • Lubricating drops
    • Artificial tears
    • Ointments
    • Antibiotic drops
    • Steroid drops
    • Eyelid cleansers
    • Warm compresses
    • Eye massage
    • Discontinued use of contact lenses
    • Cornea transplant

    On occasion, your condition warrants an in-office procedure to provide relief. These steps are taken most often to eliminate infections. In some cases, the prescribed course of action entails a combination of treatments.

    The gritty eye treatment for you might also include:

    When Should I Seek Treatment Near Me for Gritty Eyes?

    Seeking dry gritty eye treatment early is vital to resolving the pain and disruption in your daily life.  Remember, gritty eyes may be a symptom of some underlying condition that requires immediate attention. It’s particularly vital if your eyes sustained an injury or the painful gritty sensation came on suddenly.

    If you live near NYC, contact the top-notch doctors at Eye Physicians in downtown Manhattan. Their caring team offers emergency eye care and 24/7 support after some procedures. Make an appointment today to find the best treatment for gritty eyes and restore well-being to your precious peepers.

    Page Updated on Jul 3, 2024 by Dr. William Hogue, OD (Optometrist) of Eye Physicians
    William Hogue, OD

    My name is Dr. William Hogue, and I am an optometrist dedicated to providing top-quality professional eye care. I'm trained in treating various ocular conditions, including dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, and retinal issues.

    I earned my chemistry degree summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee. Subsequently, I obtained my Doctorate of Optometry (OD) and Master of Science (MS) from the New England College of Optometry. Following graduation, I completed an ocular disease residency at the State University of New York’s College of Optometry. Beyond my clinical work, I have also been a supporter of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH).

    More about Dr. Hogue

    Eye Physicians
    110 Lafayette St, Suite 503
    New York, NY 10013
    (212) 292-4814

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