Signs & Symptoms of Eye Fatigue with Scratchiness

Today's technological advances demand more of our eyes than ever before. We stare at tiny screens, watch flickering displays and work on computer screens for hours at a time. As a result, our eyes are often scratchy, dry and tired. But sometimes these are not symptoms of simple overuse; sometimes they can be a sign of something more serious.

Dry Eyes

• Scratchy, tired eyes are often a symptom of dry eyes. Other symptoms include stinging or burning sensations, stringy mucus in or around your eyes and increased irritation from smoke or wind. Causes can include poor tear quality, decreased tear production or poor lid function. Dry eyes can also be caused by certain medications including diuretics, birth control pills and antidepressants. Check with your doctor for possible treatments.

Corneal Abrasions

• A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. It can be easily caused through a sports injury, an accidental scratch with a fingernail or a small object in your eye. Symptoms include redness, tearing, scratchiness, blurriness and sensitivity. Check with your doctor on how to heal the abrasion.

Conjunctivitis

• Conjunctivitis is an infection in the membrane lining the eye. Symptoms include blurriness, crusts that form overnight, eye pain, gritty or scratchy feeling in the eyes, fatigued eyes, increased tearing and sensitivity. It can be caused by allergies, bacteria, even contact lens use. Pinkeye is caused by a viral infection and is highly contagious. If you've had these symptoms for 3 or 4 days, check with your doctor regarding treatment possibilities.