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:
- Stinging or tingling feeling in eyes
- Itching
- Inflammation
- Blurry eyes
- Redness
- Dryness
- Sensitivity to light
- Double vision
- Temporary vision loss
- Watery eyes
- Inflammation
- Discharge
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.
- Taking antihistamine, an anti-allergy medication, can protect your eyes from allergies that cause eye burning.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Loss of vision
- Any rashes on the face or body
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.
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