What are the Possible Causes of Itchy Eyes?

What Causes Itchy Eyes?

Itchy eyes can have various causes, just like most other symptoms. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose itchy eyes, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "itchy eyes" as a symptom. Here are four possibilities:

Dry Eye
Indoor Allergies
Psoriasis
Hay Fever

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

nasal congestion

psoriasis

frequent runny nose

slight eyelid twitch

cracked skin

indoor allergies

hay fever

significant diesel exhaust exposure

irritated eyes

severe eye discharge

mild eye discharge

severe diesel exhaust exposure

... and more than 10 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of itchy eyes:

Cause	Probability	Status
Psoriasis	92%	Confirm
Hay Fever	16%	Unlikely
Dry Eye	0%	Ruled out
Indoor Allergies	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Eyes/Ocular Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about how often you have itchy eyes:

Approximately how often do your eyes itch?

Possible responses:

→ Never / rarely / don't know
→ A few times a month
→ A few times a week
→ At least once a day

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate not having itchy eyes, occasional itchy eyes, itchy eyes or frequent itchy eyes, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Allergic Rhinitis / Hay Fever

Itching is the hallmark of allergic conjunctivitis, as well as other forms of allergic eye disease. The itching may be mild to severe. In general, a red eye in the absence of itching is not caused by ocular allergy.

Dry Eye

Dry eyes may become itchy, particularly later in the day.

Indoor Allergies

Psoriasis

Eye burning, itching & discharge are possible indicators of psoriasis.

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