Burning eyes refers to having irritated eyes which may or may not turn red and have tears.
You’ll experience a burning sensation accompanied with other symptoms such as watery eyes, pain in the eyes, eye discharge and itching.
Your eyes may burn due to many different reasons including the weather, allergies, and even diseases.
Other causes may be genetic such as the dry eye syndrome (DES)
Sometimes the problem is obvious and patients can use medication as a treatment for their symptoms.
Causes of the burning eyes are treated by specialists.
The resulting eye inflammation can cause swollen eyes and other irritated skin.
The cause and degree of this disease determines how to treat it.
Why do my eyes burn?
Burning eyes is caused in many ways by a variety of things, from basic to complex.
This burning sensation is possible as a result of itching, eye irritation or discharge.
Typically, burning eyes occur due to unavoidable factors in the atmosphere: these are wind and pollutant concentrations.
The same sensations, however, indicate more serious eye problems which require treatment.
To choose the right treatment, you need to find the root of the problem.
Symptoms
Burning eyes refers to having irritated eyes which may or may not turn red and have tears.
You’ll experience a burning sensation accompanied with other symptoms such as watery eyes, pain in the eyes, eye discharge and itching.
If your eyes burn after looking at a bright computer screen, you could be eye strain.
Other symptoms such as double vision, watery eyes, dry eyes, and sensitivity to light.
Eye fatigue can also develop after walking long distances and after exposure to dry air.
Causes of burning eyes
Conditions such as ocular rosacea , dry eyes and blepharitis can cause symptoms like burning eyes.
Sometimes you can quickly identify which causes the eye to burn.
Your eye can burn by taking out chemicals like shampoo and chlorine from swimming pools.
Other common irritation factors which cause burn include cosmetics and body wash products.
Burning eyes are common causes.
Wearing contact lenses can cause eye burns for a prolonged period of time.
Burning eyes may also come from environmentally irritating substances. If you’re allergic or irritable to any substance, it can cause burning eyes.
Ocular Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin disease of the face.
It involves the enlargement of facial blood vessels with the result being a flushed appearance of the nose and cheeks.
Often, the disease spreads to the eyes leading to ocular rosacea.
This type causes burning eyes that get red and itchy.
Ocular rosacea can occur in people with rosacea of the skin.
Pterygium (surfer’s eye):
With pterygium, a lump develops on the eyeball. Sometimes it can invade the cornea and interfere with vision.
Although this is a benign growth, the surfer’s eye can cause a variety of symptoms
Allergies
When allergy season hits, over the counter medications and topical eye drops can help with additional symptoms of itchy and watery eyes.
Eye allergies that can trigger eye burns include pollen, dander, smoke, and dust.
Besides eye discomfort, you may experience other allergy symptoms.
These include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, cough, and a sore throat. S
Snow blindness (photokeratitis):
Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause sunburn to your eyes.
This can lead to eye burns, redness, sensitivity to light, headaches, blurred vision, and temporary vision loss.
Dry Eyes
Burning eyes can occur for many reasons, but today we are talking about when they occur as a direct result of dehydration.
You might experience a burning or stinging sensation in your eyes, blurred vision, or a scratching sensation, which suggests that there is not enough moisture in your eyes.
Lack of sleep cause burning eyes
Sleep deprivation will also cause sight and hearing problems.
An affected person may experience a burning sensation in the eyes, stinging.
Contact lenses
Wearing contact lenses can cause eye burns for a prolonged period of time.
LASIK
Medical issues such as diabetes and arthritis Infections of the eye Using contact lenses for a long period Refractive eye surgeries such as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids as a result of chronic dry eyes.
Lack of sleep
Sleep deprivation will also cause sight and hearing problems. An affected person may experience a burning sensation in the eyes, stinging
Eye infections
Conjunctivitis is a contagious disease caused by a viral or bacterial infection. You may also get pink eyes from an allergic reaction to chemicals, pollen, and smoke.
Pink eye or viral conjunctivitis causes a red or bloodshot eye and excessive tearing. It may be highly contagious for the first few days. The infection will run its course in about 10 days. If you suspect pink eye: Wash your hands often Avoid touching the unaffected eye.
Some the causes of the pink eye condition include the following:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Allergies Incompletely opened tear ducts in newborn babies.
Whenever you notice any itchy, dry, red, burning eye with discharge and watering that persists, it could be conjunctivitis. Given that it’s a contagious disease, ensure you t
Burning eyes and COVID-19
COVID-19 patients reported having burning or stinging symptoms on the face.
Several studies have reported burning eyes in European patients with COVID.
Obviously, eye pain may not be caused by COVID-19, but it may be caused largely by it, said the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
COVID-19 causes red eyes for certain people.
A burning and stinging feeling is a sign of pink eyes.
Nevertheless, this form of coronavirus infection has many different effects.
Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis may occur: Burned brows, swollen eyes.
Burning eyes home remedies
- Lubricating eye drops for dry eyes
- Antihistamine eye drops for allergies
- Antiviral drops or ointments for certain viral infections such as herpes
- Antibiotic eye drops for bacterial conjunctivitis
Follow your provider’s instructions exactly. With treatment, you should gradually improve.
Eyewash
Sometimes you will need a clean eyewash that can relieve your irritation.
During warm weather children can apply sunscreen to their skin.
Although initial pain may seem minor, rinsing with gentle clean water can usually relieve the irritation.
Allergy eye drops
If allergy sufferers suffer, their doctor will prescribe specific eye drops to reduce your pain.
Cucumber slices
Cucumber slices are help relieve burning eyes
Tea bags
Tea contains tannic acid that can help soothe your eyes.
Use a green or black tea bag to prepare a cup of tea, then allow the tea bag to cool completely.
Place the cooled tea bag over your eyes one at a time to help soothe the burning sensation.
Chilled spoons
Chilled metal spoons around your eyes can provide relief.
Place four metal spoons in a glass of ice water.
When chilled, place one spoon on each eye.
As the spoons begin to warm, switch them out with the spoons that are still chilling in the glass of ice water.
Artificial tears
Using artificial tears 4 to 6 times a day can be helpful for almost all causes of burning and irritation, especially dry eyes.
Using artificial tears with an oil layer substitute in them is another method. These provide an extra oil barrier to your tears.
Antihistamine tears for allergies Antiviral drops or ointments for certain viral infections such as herpes Antibiotic artificial tears for bacterial conjunctivitis
Allergies
If you have allergies, try to avoid the cause (pets, grasses, cosmetics) as much as possible.
Your health care provider may give you antihistamine eye drops to help with allergies.
Taking antihistamines to reduce the severity of the allergens in the body Avoiding allergens such as dust and pollen.
You should know your allergies and always try to avoid them at all times.
Even without allergies, you should protect your eyes from chemicals and other potential irritants.
Warm compress
Finding relief A natural way to increase the amount of oil tears is placing warm compresses or dry eye masks over your eyes for around five minutes, melting the solidified oils in your eyelids.
Follow your provider’s instructions exactly. With treatment, you should gradually improve.
Reduce exposure to sunlight
Reducing the level of exposure your eyes will have to UV light as it’s a major irritant for the eyes
Avoid snow blindness by wearing protective eyewear when skiing or working in the snow.
Punctal Plugs
The tear ducts run from the corner of your eye by your nose, through your nose, and out through your throat.
If they get blocked, it’s just like putting a plug in a drain.
The tear level will rise and eventually over flow.
A visit to see a specialist to have your lacrimal drainage system probed is the answer.
When to see a doctor?
If your burning eyes are accompanied by pain or excessive sensitivity to light, or if you have eye discharge, blurred vision, eye floaters or flashes of light, double vision, or other unexpected symptoms, contact your eye doctor immediately for immediate attention.
Even if none of these additional symptoms appear, contact your ophthalmologist if your eyes continue to burn for more than a few days.
What to Expect at Your Office
Visit Your provider will get a medical history and will perform a physical exam .
Questions you may be asked include:
- What does the eye drainage look like?
- When did the problem start?
- Is it in one eye or both eyes?
- Is your vision affected?
- Are you sensitive to light?
- Does anyone else at home or work have a similar problem?
