Burning Eyes: Causes and When to Seek Help

Eye burning is a symptom that can arise due to various reasons, including dry eyes, allergies, inflammation of the eyelid margins, and irritation from smoke and chemicals. Prolonged screen use or problems related to contact lenses can also cause a burning sensation. A single burning sensation does not indicate what condition is present.

Burning with pain, light sensitivity or reduced vision requires examination without delay. If a chemical such as a cleaning product enters the eye, do not wait for a routine appointment: immediately start rinsing with plenty of clean water that is not hot and seek emergency medical help.

The layer of tears on the surface of the eye is important for comfortable and clear vision. If this layer is insufficient, or if it evaporates quickly, burning, stinging, and a sensation of grittiness may be experienced. Dry environments, direct exposure to air from a climate control system, and prolonged close-up work can increase these symptoms.

Allergies, eyelid problems, and infections are also considered in differential diagnosis. Any burning that begins after the use of a new makeup product, cream, or lens solution should be reported to the physician. Whether the complaint is in one eye or both eyes, and in what environment it occurs, will guide the evaluation.

A patient with dry eyes can also experience excessive tearing. Increased tear production in response to surface irritation does not necessarily indicate that the tear film is balanced and adequate. Therefore, the thought “my eye is watering, it can’t be dry” is misleading.

Itching, burning, and watery discharge may accompany allergies. Flow and obvious redness are evaluated for signs of infection. Due to the similarity of the complaints, selecting an antibiotic or an eyedrop targeted at allergies without a thorough examination is not appropriate.

When focusing on a screen, the frequency of blinking or the completion of blinks may decrease. The maintenance of a drier eye surface can make burning more noticeable, particularly in individuals experiencing dryness. The height of the screen, ambient lighting, and continuous periods of use can also affect these symptoms.

Taking breaks from the work, focusing on a distant object, and paying close attention to full eye blinks may be helpful. It should not be assumed that taking screen breaks treats all eye diseases. Despite daily adjustments, the ongoing eye strain is evaluated, including the state of the eye surface and the need for glasses.

The lenses should be removed, and they should not be reinserted until the eye feels comfortable. This may develop due to reasons such as burning, exceeding the lens usage time, or sensitivity to the cleaning product. However, pain, redness, and blurred vision associated with the lenses may also be a sign of corneal infection.

Pain, light sensitivity or changed vision particularly requires same-day eye examination. Do not rinse lenses with water, wet them in the mouth or continue wearing them while suppressing symptoms with existing drops. Share details of the lenses and care products during examination.

The measures taken depend on the reason for irritation. Moving away from a smoky environment, reducing the air directly entering the eyes, avoiding rubbing the eyes, and taking breaks from screens can help reduce irritation. If there is a clear association with a new cosmetic product, evaluation can be obtained by discontinuing the product.

Artificial tears can be used in some dry eye conditions; the product and frequency of use should be selected according to the eye’s condition. “Redness-reducing” drops or medications containing corticosteroids should not be used indiscriminately. It should not be applied to the eye with tea, lemon juice, herbal mixtures, or homemade liquid solutions.

If cleaning agents or any other chemical enters the eye, rinsing should begin immediately. The eyelids should be kept open, and the eye should be rinsed for at least 20 minutes with copious amounts of clean, lukewarm water. Rinsing should continue while awaiting assistance; attempting to neutralize the product with another chemical or rubbing the eye should not be done.

If contact lenses can be easily removed, they should be removed; however, rinsing should not be delayed for this purpose. When seeking urgent evaluation, the product packaging or product information should be brought along. This is not considered in the same way as mild burning associated with screen use.

A thorough examination should be performed for recurring, increasingly frequent, or daily life-impairing eye pain. The vision, the surface of the eye, the edges of the eyelids, and, if necessary, the tear film should be examined. The use of medications, previous eye surgeries, and general health problems should be considered.

Do not wait if there is pain, reduced vision, marked light sensitivity, injury or chemical exposure. For the causes of redness, see red eye assessment and, where infection is possible, conjunctivitis treatment guides may be helpful.