This article will explain what burning eyes are and their main potential causes. It will also explain treatment for each cause, as well as home remedies.
Burning eyes may feel like uncomfortable irritation and stinging of your eyes. Symptoms that go along with burning eyes may include:
- itchiness
- dryness
- redness
- discharge
Burning eyes have many possible causes, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). These causes can be environmental, medical, or related to chemicals that come into contact with the eye.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. Symptoms can include:
- red eyes
- swollen eyes
- sore eyes
- flaky or oily particles at the base of the eyelids
Blepharitis can happen when you have too much bacteria around the base of your eyelashes. Issues with oil glands in the eyelids can also cause it.
Blepharitis has no cure, but you can treat it with some home remedies. These include placing a warm compress on the eyelids and cleaning the eyelash area with warm water. You may also use a cleanser, such as baby shampoo.
Additional treatments include taking oral or topical antibiotics and using eye drops.
Dry eyes
Dry eyes occur when you do not have enough natural lubrication or tears to nourish or lubricate your eyes. You need tears and moisture for healthy eyes.
Causes of dry eyes include:
- not having enough tears
- being an older adult, generally above age 65
- taking certain medications, such as antihistamines
- having certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or thyroid conditions
Read more about how diabetes and thyroid conditions affect the eyes.
Allergies
Eye allergies occur when irritating substances enter the eye or the eye reacts to an allergen. Eye allergies are quite common and often occur with nasal allergies.
Common symptoms of eye allergies include:
- itchy eyes
- swollen, red eyes
- burning or tearing in the eyes
- light sensitivity
Common triggers for eye allergies include:
- pollen from trees, grass, and flowers
- dust
- pet hair or fur
- mold
- smoke
- perfume
Treatment for eye allergies involves understanding their cause, or trigger, and avoiding contact with it. For example, if pollen triggers your eye allergies, you may want to go outside only when the pollen count is low. This can prevent pollen from going into your eyes and causing dryness and burning.
Ocular rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition that causes flushes in your face, including on your cheeks and forehead. People with rosacea often have ocular rosacea, too, which can cause inflammation of the eyelids.
Symptoms of ocular rosacea include:
- red eyes
- burning, itching eyes
- watery eyes
- the feeling of something stuck in your eye
- swollen eyelids
- clogged oil glands near the eyelashes
Treatment for ocular rosacea includes:
- taking steroid eye drops
- taking antibiotics
- taking vitamin supplements with omega-3 fatty acids
- using artificial tears
Read more about ocular rosacea.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis happens when the conjunctiva gets irritated by an infection or an allergen. The conjunctiva is the clear tissue covering the white of your eye.
Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type, according to the AAO. The same virus that causes the common cold causes conjunctivitis. It is contagious and spreads very easily in crowded places.
Bacterial conjunctivitis may have sticky pus as a symptom, but sometimes it may have no discharge at all.
Conjunctivitis symptoms include:
- red, swollen eyes
- burning eyes sensation
- sticky, mucus-like discharge
- itchy eyes
- watery eyes
- puffy eyelids
Viral conjunctivitis goes away by itself as your body fights the virus. You can treat bacterial conjunctivitis with antibiotics or eye drops.
Read more about conjunctivitis.
Chemical causes of burning eyes
Burning eyes can also come from exposure to chemicals, including:
- household cleaning solvents
- makeup
- moisturizers
- shampoo
- soap
- chlorine in swimming pools
Extremes of cold or hot, dry air may also result in burning eyes. Wearing your contact lenses for prolonged periods can make your eyes burn, too.
Treatment for chemical causes of burning eyes includes antibiotics, hypertonic or irrigating solutions such as borate buffer, and eye drops.
Severe or mild chemicals in the eye should be seen right away by a doctor, to avoid further eye-related issues.
In some cases, burning eyes may be a symptom of a serious or life threatening condition. In these cases, a healthcare professional should immediately evaluate your eyes in an emergency setting.
These conditions include:
- periorbital cellulitis, which is an infection of the eyelids or other soft tissue around the eyes that occurs mainly in children
- uveitis, which is inflammation of the uvea (the middle layer of the eye, below the white of your eye)
- iritis, which is inflammation of the iris (the colored part of your eye that surrounds your pupil)
Seek immediate medical care if you have burning eyes that happens along with:
- bleeding from the eyes or eye discharge resembling pus
- sudden change in vision
- severe eye pain
- sensitivity to light
- seeing flashing lights
- seeing floating objects or spots
Seek prompt medical care if your symptoms of burning eyes are long lasting, occur multiple times, or cause you concern.
Other symptoms might happen along with burning eyes. These symptoms will vary, depending on the underlying cause or health condition.
Nasal symptoms that may occur along with burning eyes
Burning eyes may have related nasal symptoms, including:
- postnasal drip
- runny nose
- sneezing
- stuffy nose or nasal congestion
A doctor may examine your eye tissue and the structure of your eye to determine if any underlying concerns or conditions are causing your burning eyes.
They may also collect fluid or discharge samples to determine if bacteria have caused your burning eyes.
If you frequently have burning eyes, it could mean that you have an eye allergy or eye infection.
Once a doctor diagnoses the underlying cause, it is important to follow the treatment plan that you and your doctor create. This will help reduce the risk of potential complications, such as loss of vision and the spread of infection.
Here are some frequently asked questions about burning eyes.
Are burning eyes a symptom of diabetes?
Diabetes can damage your eyes over time, causing vision loss and even blindness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Burning eyes may not be a specific symptom of diabetes, but managing your diabetes can ensure your eyes do not become worse over time.
Can lack of sleep cause burning eyes?
Sleep deprivation can cause eye issues such as dryness, burning, itchiness, and redness. Your body uses sleep to repair cells and balance hormone levels, so getting enough sleep can improve eye health.
Burning eyes often feel like uncomfortable itching and stinging of the eyes. They may occur with tearing and discharge.
Burning eyes have many potential causes, including allergens or underlying medical conditions. You can treat the causes of burning eyes with antibiotics, eye drops, or home remedies such as warm compresses.
Some causes of burning eyes may be more serious, such as periorbital cellulitis.
Seek immediate medical advice if you experience any changes in vision, extreme pain, or bleeding from the eyes alongside burning eyes.
