Burning Eyes Causes Remedies And When To See A Doctor

  references
  
      Mayo Clinic, “Dry Eyes”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “What Are Eye Allergies?”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Pink Eye (Conjuctivitis)”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Ocular Rosacea”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “What Is Blepharitis?”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “What Is Photokeratitis — Including Snow Blindness?”
    
      American Optometric Association, “Keratitis”
    
      American Optometric Association, “Dry Eye”
    
      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)”
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Sjogren's syndrome"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Burning eyes can be a symptom of dry eye, allergies, pink eye or several other eye issues.

Image Credit: AndreyPopov/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: AndreyPopov/iStock/GettyImages

• Dry Eye
• Allergies
• Pink Eye
• Ocular Rosacea
• Blepharitis
• Contacts
• Sunburn
• When to See a Doctor

Artificial tears aren’t the same thing as redness-relieving eye drops, however, says Dr. Di Meglio. Redness-relieving drops are decongestants, which “cause the vessels in your eyes to constrict,” she says. “So when you stop using them, you get a rebound redness effect that can make your eyes feel drier.”

‌Fix it:‌ In many cases, the best way to ward off allergies is to avoid the allergens — for example, by staying indoors or wearing sunglasses when the pollen counts are highest (usually in the mid-morning and early evening); or, if you’re allergic to dust, using allergen-reducing bedcovers, according to the AAO. Still, avoiding allergens can be easier said than done. If that’s the case for you, you may want to use artificial tears, which can help rinse the allergens from your eyes, or talk do your doctor about whether you’re a candidate for antihistamine eye drops.

Still, avoiding allergens can be easier said than done. If that’s the case for you, you may want to use artificial tears, which can help rinse the allergens from your eyes, or talk do your doctor about whether you’re a candidate for antihistamine eye drops.

‌Fix it:‌ If your pink eye is caused by a virus, you’ll likely just have to wait until your body fights off the infection, which usually takes about a week or two, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The same goes for swimmers eye, and you should avoid chlorine exposure during that time. If bacteria are to blame, then your doctor may prescribe you an antibiotic eye drop to help clear up the pink eye (antibiotics aren’t effective against viruses). Bacterial conjunctivitis can go away sooner, in two to five days, though it can also take up to two weeks. And if the conjunctivitis is caused by allergies? You can combat the symptoms by taking allergy eye drops, though there are many natural remedies for allergies, too, like staying indoors on days when the pollen count is too high.

If bacteria are to blame, then your doctor may prescribe you an antibiotic eye drop to help clear up the pink eye (antibiotics aren’t effective against viruses). Bacterial conjunctivitis can go away sooner, in two to five days, though it can also take up to two weeks.

And if the conjunctivitis is caused by allergies? You can combat the symptoms by taking allergy eye drops, though there are many natural remedies for allergies, too, like staying indoors on days when the pollen count is too high.

‌Fix it:‌ Some doctors recommend washing your eyelids to keep them clear of microscopic mites or other infection-causing organisms, which may cause the eyelids to swell and become red, according to the AAO. Start by applying baby shampoo and warm water to a washcloth and gently cleaning the eyelids. Your doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics like doxycycline for rosacea or a topical antibiotic that can be applied to the eyelids, says Anupama Horne, MD, an ophthalmologist with Duke Health.

Your doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics like doxycycline for rosacea or a topical antibiotic that can be applied to the eyelids, says Anupama Horne, MD, an ophthalmologist with Duke Health.

You can also apply hot compresses to your closed eyes, she says. This will help loosen the oil in the eyes, preventing a clog, while also helping to loosen the build-up of crust that may have settled on the eyelashes. Try keeping the compresses on for a few minutes a day.

‌Fix it:‌ If you’re experiencing the symptoms of keratitis — including burning, pain, discharge, blurry vision or light sensitivity — call your eye doctor, who can diagnose the problem. If the infection is mild, you may only need eye drops like artificial tears or antibiotics, for example. If the infection is more severe, you may need anti-inflammatory eye meds or oral medications, according to the AOA.

If the infection is mild, you may only need eye drops like artificial tears or antibiotics, for example. If the infection is more severe, you may need anti-inflammatory eye meds or oral medications, according to the AOA.

‌Fix it:‌ Luckily, photokeratitis usually goes away after a day or two, but you can ease the symptoms by placing a cold washcloth over your closed eyes and taking a pain-relieving medication like ibuprofen. If you wear contacts, be sure to take them out of your eyes right away (the last thing you need is a lens rubbing against your already-irritated eyes). To prevent photokeratitis in the future, wear sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of UV rays when you’re outdoors. Remember: You’re not just at risk for a sunburn at the beach — you can also get photokeratitis in the winter, because the sunlight can reflect off of the ice and snow, damaging your eyes. If you’re skiing or snowboarding, wear UV ray-blocking snow goggles.

If you wear contacts, be sure to take them out of your eyes right away (the last thing you need is a lens rubbing against your already-irritated eyes).

To prevent photokeratitis in the future, wear sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of UV rays when you’re outdoors. Remember: You’re not just at risk for a sunburn at the beach — you can also get photokeratitis in the winter, because the sunlight can reflect off of the ice and snow, damaging your eyes. If you’re skiing or snowboarding, wear UV ray-blocking snow goggles.

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      Mayo Clinic, “Dry Eyes”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “What Are Eye Allergies?”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Pink Eye (Conjuctivitis)”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Ocular Rosacea”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “What Is Blepharitis?”
    
      American Academy of Ophthalmology, “What Is Photokeratitis — Including Snow Blindness?”
    
      American Optometric Association, “Keratitis”
    
      American Optometric Association, “Dry Eye”
    
      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)”
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Sjogren's syndrome"