Why are my Eyes Burning?

Burning eyes are a common issue that signals towards some underlying causes. Ignoring it can turn your simple life moments into discomfort.

So, it is important to explore the reasons behind these fiery sensations and find relief according to your eyes’ condition.

Let’s first find out what a burning sensation in the eyes is.

What are Burning Eyes?

The term ‘’burning eyes’’ refers to a stinging or tingling sensation that can happen in one or both of your eyes. It is accompanied by redness, watery discharge, or itching and is very painful.

In some cases, it is very easy to diagnose and can be treated with simple home remedies. However, in extreme conditions, it is important to consult an eye surgeon for immediate and specialized treatment.

Symptoms of Burning Eyes

These are some common symptoms of burning eyes:

Why Do My Eyes Burn?

There can be many causes of eye burning. Let’s explore!

1. Dry Eyes

If your eyes are burning, you may suffer from dry eyes syndrome. It is a condition in which the tear ducts in your eyes do not produce enough tears. In the United States, this condition affects about 20 million people. Dry eyes are mainly caused by prolonged screen time, excessive exposure to air conditioning, and medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Allergies

If you have any kind of allergy, your eyes may start burning around the specific allergens. Their exposure triggers your body to produce histamine that results in burning eyes. The most common triggers of eye allergies include dust, mold, pollen, smoke, perfume, and pet dander. As a result, you start feeling sensitivity to light along with grittiness and a burning sensation in your eyes.

3. Blepharitis

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids caused by excessive bacteria or clogged oil glands. It can cause swelling, burning, and itching in the eyes. This condition is not contagious. However, it is triggered by dandruff and oily skin. Along with burning, you will see flaky skin around your eyes and crusty eyelids on waking. Though it is frustrating, you can combat this issue with proper care and hygiene.

4. Sunburn

If your eyes get overexposed to UV light from sun rays, it can result in sunburn, causing severe burning in the eyes. This condition is also known as photokeratitis. Other symptoms of this condition include halos around light, severe pain in the eyes, watering, and headaches.

5. Ocular Rosacea

According to statistics, more than 14 million people in the United States suffer from Rosacea. It is a skin condition in which facial blood vessels enlarge, causing flushing on the face. If this redness occurs around or inside the eyes, it is called Ocular Rosacea. It causes inflammation of the eyelids along with burning, redness, and crusty discharge.

6. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, also known as Pink Eye, is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva in your eyes. It spreads from person to person, especially by sharing personal items like makeup and towels. It causes a severe burning sensation in the eyes, redness, and discharge. Bacteria, viruses, and different allergens can trigger this condition.

7. Pterygium

The overgrowth of fleshy tissue on the surface of your eye is known as Pterygium. This overgrowth usually happens on the part of the eye close to the nose and is mostly triggered by wind and UV exposure. The appearance of growth on the eye also causes burning, itchiness, and swelling in your eyes.

How to Cure Burning Watery Eyes at Home?

Now that you are aware of different causes of eye burning, let’s find some common home remedies for it.

  1. Taking antihistamine, an anti-allergy medication, can protect your eyes from allergies that cause eye burning.
  2. Take a soft cloth, soak it in clean water, and place this warm compress on your eyes. It will also help you manage burning eyes.
  3. To relieve burning caused by crusting discharge, gently clean your eyelids with a mixture of baby shampoo and water. Rinse properly and pat dry your eyes. This will make a huge difference in your eyes’ burning sensation.
  4. You can try different lubricating eye drops to relieve burning caused by dry eyes. Drinking plenty of water can also help keep your eyes moist and reduce dryness.
  5. In case of burning from allergens or irritants, wash your eyes with warm tap water.

When to Visit a Doctor for Eyes Burning?

After knowing all the possible causes of eye burning, if the above remedies help you eliminate this frustrating condition, that’s awesome. But in cases where your condition worsens along with the following symptoms, you must consult a doctor:

Conclusion

In short, burning eyes can be a symptom of something serious, and you should not ignore it. They can stem from a variety of reasons, and it is important to know the root cause immediately to take proactive measures against them.

If the symptoms don’t go away within a day or two, consult a well-reputed eye care center to discuss more ways of getting relief and proper treatment of the underlying cause.

FAQS

Can screen time lead to burning eyes?

Yes, extended screen time can lead to digital eye strain that causes burning in eyes, redness and itching. However, regular breaks and adjusting screen brightness can mitigate these effects.

Can contact lenses cause burning eyes?

Yes, if contact lenses are poorly fitted, dirty or worn-out, they can cause irritation in eyes and burning sensation. Therefore, you should get soft contact lens fitting from an authentic eye care center and follow the replacement schedule to avoid such issues.

Do seasonal changes have any effect on burning eyes?

Yes, seasonal allergies like pollen in spring or dry air in winter can trigger burning in the eyes. You can take antihistamines to avoid these effects.

Can Sinus Infection Cause Pink Eyes?

According to a report, around 29 million people in US are diagnosed with sinus infection in US. On the other hand, around 3 to 6 million people get conjunctivitis (pink eyes) every year. This is a huge number of patients suffering from these ailments.

But just think for a moment: what would happen if sinus infection and pink eyes intersect with each other? In this blog, we will explore their connection to see if the sinus is also one of the causes of pink eyes or not. Just stick to the end!

What is Sinus Infection?

Inflammation of the tissue lining around your sinuses is termed sinus infection. In this infection, the thin lining around your sinuses that produces mucus gets blocked. That is why mucus starts accumulating there, becoming a hub for bacteria and viruses, causing serious infections.

A sinus infection usually shows the following symptoms:

Factors causing sinus Infection include:

Now that you know sinuses, let’s understand pink eye and its causes.

Understanding Pink Eye

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the tissue (conjunctiva) lining inside the eyelid and covering the white part of the eye. It is contagious, and people who suffer from pink eyes usually observe the following symptoms in their eyes:

Generally, there are three different types of pink eyes, each with its own causes and symptoms. These include:

Can a Sinus Infection Cause Pink Eye?

Now let’s move towards the main query, i.e., can pink eye be caused by sinus infection?

A simple answer to this question is ‘’yes’’. In fact, sinus infection is one of the most common causes of pink eyes. The reason is both sinuses and eyes have almost the same structures. Though conditions are different, one infection can easily spread to the other part.

Why Does Sinus Infection Cause Pink Eyes?

When you suffer from sinuses, the infection can get into the eyes because they are located near to each other.

Let’s find out other reasons why sinus infection causes pink eyes:

Whenever you suffer from a sinus infection, your immune system responds promptly and causes nearby tissues, including the eyes, to swell. As a result, your eyes become red, and this inflammatory response causes viral conjunctivitis, though the infection itself has not affected the eyes directly.

Because of the same drainage pathway, any infection in the sinuses can also enter the eyes. If the root cause of sinuses is bacteria, there are higher chances that you will suffer from bacterial conjunctivitis.

Nasal drip is another way of triggering pink eyes. As mucus drains into the throat and nasal passages in sinus infection, this postnasal drip becomes a carrier of bacteria or viruses and spreads the infection.

Do All Sinus Infections Cause Pink Eyes?

Though all sinus infections have the potential risk of causing pink eyes, not all of them trigger it. Mostly, it happens when you do not care for your hygiene or have a weak immune system. Also, if you do not pay attention to sinus infection and leave it untreated, it can cause harm to your eyes and overall health.

Apart from sinus infection, there are many other causes of pink eyes as well. Most common is cross-contamination. It means if you suffer from pink eyes and rub them with unwashed hands, you can transfer them to the other person.

Other common causes include:

How to Avoid Pink Eye from Sinus Infection?

Here are some simple precautions and tips that can save you from sinus infection conjunctivitis:

  1. Firstly, you need to maintain good hygiene and do not share your personal items like makeup and towels with others.
  2. Take anti-allergic medicines in advance if you are allergic to specific weather conditions like pollen in spring or dry air in winter
  3. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep mucus thin and it does not accumulate in the nasal cavity. This is how there are low chances of getting pink eyes.
  4. Stay informed about all the irritants like smoke, pollution and other irritants that can trigger pink eyes from sinus infection and keep you away from them.
  5. Despite taking all the precautions, always consult doctors to get the best treatment for both conditions.

Conclusion

Sinus infections and pink eyes are very uncomfortable conditions that can disturb your daily life routine. Understanding the symptoms of both conditions and getting their treatment timely from a well-known eye care center can help you overcome both challenges.

If you face these issues, always consult with a reputable eye care provider like Cedar Park Vision, follow your doctor’s advice, make necessary lifestyle changes, and enjoy good health.

FAQS

How do doctors treat pink eyes?

There is no treatment for viral conjunctivitis as it resolves on its own. However, if you are suffering from bacterial conjunctivitis, doctors do recommend antibiotic eye drops. Similarly, for allergic conjunctivitis, they would suggest antihistamine drops to get immediate relief.

How to treat a sinus infection?

You can overcome sinus infections with different home remedies. Doctors also suggest taking different over-the-counter medications and antibiotics in case of severe infection.

Are You Awake During LASIK Eye Surgery? Things You Need to Know

Table of Contents

Are You Awake During LASIK Eye Surgery?

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

Are You Awake During LASIK Eye Surgery?

Which Anesthesia is Used in LASIK Surgery?

Ground Behind Staying Awake During LASIK Eye Surgery?

Less Time-Consuming Surgery

Relatively Painless

Patient’s Cooperation Makes It More Efficient

Accelerate Recovery

No Need to Stay in Hospital

What Happens If Someone Blinks or Moves Eyes During LASIK Surgery?

Effects After Lasik Surgery

Final Words

 

With increasing eye problems, LASIK surgery is becoming more common day by day. To get liberation from sight issues, people prefer to get LASER treatment, and LASIK is one of the most beneficial treatments for sight difficulties.

Most patients who want to get LASIK surgery are looking for the answer to the question, “Are you awake during LASIK eye surgery”. The simple answer is yes.

To get to know what LASIK surgery is and the basic reasons why you stay awake during LASIK surgery, continue reading this blog.

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted Situ Keratomileusis, is the most common treatment for eye-sightedness problems. This is a LASER refractive treatment that ensures the correctness of sight problems and is a great alternative to contact lenses and glasses.

With LASIK surgery, a laser is used to cut the tissue of the cornea in your eye and change its shape so that it can properly refract light on the retina. To treat this issue, the patients can also use glasses and contact lenses.

Note: A domed-shaped tissue called cornea, is present in front of the eye. Its function is to refract the light back to the retina, which creates an image. When the shape of the cornea changes, it does not refract light directly on the retina, which causes blurriness of sight and problems like shortsightedness and longsightedness.

Are You Awake During LASIK Eye Surgery?

Many people seek LASIK eye surgery as a solution to eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. However, a common concern arises when they hear that they will remain awake during the procedure, leading to anxiety and fears about feeling pain.

It is true that patients are awake during LASIK surgery, but this is not something to worry about. Being awake allows the patient to cooperate with the eye surgeon, which is essential for the success of the surgery. By staying awake and following the doctor’s instructions, the chances of a positive outcome increase significantly.

To alleviate discomfort, doctors apply numbing eye drops before the surgery begins. These drops ensure that patients do not feel pain during the procedure. Although you may experience slight pressure on the eye, it is typically mild and temporary.

Which Anesthesia is Used in LASIK Surgery?

In LASIK surgery, doctors use local anesthesia to numb your eyes. They apply special numbing eye drops before starting the procedure. This keeps you awake during the surgery, but you will not feel any pain. You may only notice a bit of pressure on your eyes, but it will not hurt.

Unlike general anesthesia, which makes you sleep, local anesthesia is safe and easy for this type of surgery. It helps the doctor check your vision during the procedure. Plus, it allows you to recover faster because there are no strong sedatives involved. Most people feel fine afterward, with only a little discomfort that quickly goes away.

Ground Behind Staying Awake During LASIK Eye Surgery?

Because keeping the patients awake during the LASIK is important, let us discuss in detail why it is necessary to keep the patient awake during the surgery.

Less Time-Consuming Surgery

LASIK is a short and fast surgery and takes only 20 minutes. The laser itself takes only 30 seconds to reshape the cornea. As mentioned earlier, local anesthesia is used, which helps save time by keeping the patient conscious. This allows the procedure to be performed efficiently and quickly.

Relatively Painless

Doctors use local anesthesia in the form of numbing drops that deactivate the pain nerve in the eyes and make the surgery painless. As these pain relievers are enough for this short surgery, surgeons do not need to make patients unconscious.

Patient’s Cooperation Makes It More Efficient

During LASIK surgery, patients need to focus on a green blinking light to keep the cornea in the same position. This will help the surgeon perform the surgery properly.

No doubt, eye holders can be used to open the eye, but to move the cornea to the right position and then keep it there, the patient’s cooperation is required. This will help to make the surgery more effective and increase the chances of desired outcomes.

Accelerate Recovery

One of the main reasons to stay awake during LASIK surgery is the quick recovery. The medicines used to numb your eyes will continue working and help in recovery. Patients who stay awake during and after the surgery get well soon and can start looking at their laptop or mobile screen after two to three days.

No Need to Stay in Hospital

There is no need to stay in the hospital after LASIK surgery. If you are awake and alert, you can go home right after the procedure to heal comfortably in your own environment. However, in rare cases where a patient may become unconscious or experience unexpected complications, they may need to stay under observation for a short period before being allowed to leave. Normally, most patients recover quickly without needing extended medical supervision.

What Happens If Someone Blinks or Moves Eyes During LASIK Surgery?

Blinking of the eyes is a natural process. But during LASIK, it is important to keep your eyes open to avoid any inconvenience. Local anesthesia will reduce the blinking signals and help to keep your eye open. Furthermore, doctors use eyelid holders to ensure they stop blinking. All these precautions make sure the patient will not blink their eyes during the treatment.

Sometimes, patients move their eyes very fast, which can also interrupt the surgery. For this problem, built-in safety is used. With a little movement, the LASER also moves with the cornea. But if you move your eye at a wider angle, the LASER will shut automatically.

Precautions to Take After LASIK Surgery

After LASIK surgery, you will feel blurriness, itchy, and watery eyes. But if you are feeling pain, then you should consult your doctor immediately. Here are some precautions you need to keep in mind after LASIK:

Final Words

Conclusively, you are awake during Lasik surgery, and staying awake is crucial to make the procedure more effective. Patient cooperation and focus are also crucial factors in making this surgery more successful. However, there is no need to be afraid, as doctors make this surgery painless with using local anesthesia.

Now that you know the basic things that happen during LASIK, it is also crucial to choose a professional eyecare center to make your surgery successful. CEDAR PARK VISION offers trustworthy and reliable services for LASIK surgery. You can consider us for your eye treatment as our optometrist has years of experience and exposure in optometry.