Is There a ‘Stone’ in My Eye? Be Aware of This Condition

If Your Eyes Feel Gritty and Irritated, It Could Be ‘Conjunctival Concretions’

K, a 32-year-old graphic designer, recently experienced gritty eyes and a sensation of sand in her eyes every time she blinked. Assuming it was dry eye syndrome due to the gritty feeling, K tried to avoid rubbing her eyes and used artificial tears, but the symptoms did not improve. However, as the pain worsened, she received medical treatment at a hospital near her office and was diagnosed with ‘conjunctival concretions’.

Conjunctival concretions are a condition that occurs when the conjunctival epithelial cells and protein secretions undergo degeneration during chronic inflammation of the eye surface, such as conjunctivitis or dry eye. They typically form under the conjunctiva of the eyelid and, contrary to the term ‘concretion,’ are not actually hard.

The conjunctiva is a transparent membrane that covers the inside of the eyelids and the white part of the eye, located on the outermost layer of the sclera (the white part of the eye). It secretes mucus to allow tears to adhere to the surface of the eye and plays a protective role for the eyeball.

Professor Kim Dong-hyun of Korea University Anam Hospital’s ophthalmology department explained, “Most cases of ‘conjunctival concretions’, which appear on the conjunctiva that performs these functions, are asymptomatic. However, when conjunctival concretions are exposed to the outside of the conjunctiva, the eyes may feel gritty and become easily congested, and one may feel as if sand has entered the eyes.”

Eye makeup can be a cause of conjunctival concretions. Makeup repeatedly stimulates the membrane on the surface of the eye and the oil glands of the eyelids, causing inflammation and disrupting the healthy tear film. Also, aging and wearing contact lenses can be triggering.

Professor Kim Dong-hyun advised, “To prevent conjunctival concretions, avoid actions that irritate the eyes, such as rubbing them, and take sufficient rest to relieve eye fatigue.”

If you wear makeup, you should thoroughly remove cosmetics around the eyes after finishing your daily activities. Also, if you wear lenses, you should clean them regularly, avoid wearing them for extended periods, and never sleep with them.

Warm compresses can help soothe inflammation and calm the eyes. If you often feel dry, use artificial tears to keep your eyes from drying out, and frequently ventilate indoors to maintain appropriate indoor humidity.