Burning Eyes

Overview

Stinging, burning, itchy, and watery eyes can produce great discomfort. Some people rarely experience burning eyes while others experience symptoms regularly. Symptoms occur as the result of a person's biology and surrounding environment. Some people have a predisposition to dry eyes because they are unable to produce enough tears. Others like contact lens wearers, construction workers, and swimmers experience burning eyes because of environmental conditions. Burning eyes result from disease, irritation, and heredity. Assess your situation, and work with your doctor to determine what exactly is causing your symptoms. A specialist or ophthalmologist can help you relieve discomfort, problems, and symptoms.

Causes

The five main causes for burning eyes include environmental factors, irritants, infection, illness, and injury. Environmental conditions include smog, smoke, or dust that causes irritation or allergies. Other irritants include chemicals, soap, dirty contact lenses, or overused contact lenses. An infection like pinkeye can be viral, bacterial, or fungal. You might have accidentally scratched or burned your eyes. Believe it or not, your eyes can even burn when overexposed to the sun. You might have a virus, bacterial infection, cold, or allergies that cause your eyes to burn. Chronic and intermittent dry eye can also cause your eyes to burn.

When to See a Doctor

• When you experience chronic or repeated burning eyes, and nothing seems to help
• When you experience a chemical burn, and flushing your eye does not help
• When your eyes produce discharge or blood
• If you notice changes in your vision
• If your pain is unbearable
• If you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction
• If you suspect pinkeye
• If you have a family history of eye problems such as cataracts or glaucoma
• If your burning eyes are accompanied with headaches, fevers, or migraines
• If you are diabetic
• If you suspect that you have been poisoned

Diagnosis & Treatment

If your eyes are constantly or periodically dry, you can use over-the-counter drops and ointments regularly. Make sure that you follow directions exactly, and be sure to use medications that are compatible with your contact lenses. Before beginning a routine or regiment, check in with your ophthalmologist, or consult your primary care physician. An ophthalmologist can actually conduct tests to determine whether you are at risk for chronic dry eye. These tests can assess what kind of regimen is right for you.

To the best extent possible, limit your contact with irritants. When you're out in the sun, wear sunglasses, and wear goggles when you are swimming in chlorinated water. Wear laboratory goggles whenever you work with chemicals and bleaches. Be careful not to get soap in your eyes, and avoid touching and rubbing your eyes as much as possible. Contact lens wearers should work with a doctor to determine the best cleaning regiment. Dirty contact lenses can result in infections that cause your eyes to burn.

Most likely, you will know if you have experienced an injury to your eye. Your eyes are sensitive, so do not take any chances. See a doctor whenever necessary, and do not try to treat your own condition with medications. A doctor may prescribe you steroid drops or help you develop a program to minimize your symptoms. Treatment will vary based on what is causing your problem.