Irritation from something on the eye’s surface (corneal foreign bodies, ingrown eyelashes, calcium deposits)
How tears protect the eye
Tears are made by the tear glands under the eyelids. They flow across the surface of the eye, and each blink pushes them into the tear ducts to drain.
Treating eye-surface problems
Problems on the eye’s surface (a foreign body on the cornea, ingrown eyelashes, calcium deposits) are treated according to their cause:
- Removing the foreign body
- Surgery to correct an outward-turning eyelid
- Medication for keratoconjunctivitis
- Treating dry eye based on its cause
For blocked tear ducts, a narrow tear-duct opening can be widened slightly with minor surgery, and a narrowed tear canal or nasolacrimal duct is best treated by placing a silicone tube.
What are calcium deposits?
You’ve heard of tartar on teeth, kidney stones and stomach stones, but did you know the eyes can form calcium deposits too? According to statistics, more than half of eye-clinic patients in Taiwan have calcium deposits, but only 7% have symptoms. As the environment in Taiwan has worsened in recent years and more irritants reach the eyes, more and more people are developing symptoms, so it is worth paying attention to.
Calcium deposits are a very common eye condition. They form mainly under the conjunctiva that lines the inside of the eyelids and look like tiny white or yellow dots.
They form when the conjunctiva is irritated or inflamed over a long time: surface cells multiply, the conjunctival glands change, and shed cell debris mixes with mucus to form clear clumps. That is why these deposits are made of phospholipids and elastin, unlike most deposits in the body, which contain a lot of calcium.
Who is more likely to get calcium deposits?
Doctors note that people whose eyes are often irritated by wind, dust or particles are more likely to develop calcium deposits, including:
- People who work outdoors or commute by scooter
- People who live in windy or dusty areas
- People who wear contact lenses often or lose eyelashes easily
These groups are also at higher risk:
- People with allergic conjunctivitis, trachoma or dry eye
- People who use eye drops for a long time
- Older adults
Symptoms and treatment
In general, the deposits that stay under the conjunctiva without breaking through the surface can’t be felt and don’t necessarily need treatment.
But when a deposit grows and rubs against the cornea, it starts to cause symptoms: stinging, a feeling that something is in the eye, and irritation that tears can’t wash away. In severe cases it can scratch the cornea. At that point, see an eye doctor to have the deposit removed with a fine needle, then use the prescribed medication and return for follow-up visits.
Before removing a deposit, the doctor considers its size and whether it is suitable to remove, to avoid a large wound that could scar and leave the surface of the conjunctiva uneven.
Prevention
Calcium deposits are not a serious condition, but if they are ignored, long-term inflammation can create a vicious cycle, so be sure to see a doctor when symptoms appear. Protecting your eyes from frequent irritation in daily life also helps prevent them:
- Clean and care for contact lenses properly
- Wear a full-face helmet with a clear visor when riding a scooter
- Treat eye conditions promptly