Burning eyes is a common complaint, often described as stinging, irritation, or a hot sensation in the eyes. This discomfort can stem from a variety of everyday factors to underlying medical conditions. Understanding the potential causes of why your eyes are burning is the first step towards finding relief.
Dry eyes are frequently the culprit behind burning eyes. This condition arises when your tear ducts don’t produce enough tears, or the tears are of poor quality. Tears are essential for lubricating and protecting the surface of your eyes. Dry eyes can be more prevalent with age, particularly in individuals over 65, and those assigned female at birth. Beyond the burning sensation, dry eyes can manifest with symptoms such as redness, pain, a gritty feeling (like sand in your eyes), blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to light.
Another common cause of burning eyes is blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids. Blepharitis is often characterized by flaky, itchy skin resembling dandruff at the base of the eyelashes. This condition can lead to redness, swelling of the eyelids, and a burning sensation in the eyes. It’s important to manage blepharitis as it can sometimes contribute to or worsen dry eye symptoms.
Eye allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, occur when your eyes react to irritating substances called allergens. When allergens enter the eye, the body releases histamines, which can trigger a burning sensation along with other uncomfortable symptoms. Common allergy triggers are found both indoors and outdoors and can include dust mites, pollen, mold spores, smoke, perfumes, and pet dander. In addition to burning, eye allergies can cause redness, excessive tearing, swelling, intense itching, and sensitivity to light.
Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can also lead to burning eyes, a condition known as photokeratitis, or eye sunburn. Similar to sunburn on the skin, photokeratitis is a temporary but painful condition affecting the cornea. Symptoms of eye sunburn, besides burning eyes, can include heightened light sensitivity, eye pain, a gritty feeling, watery eyes, seeing halos around lights, and headaches. Protecting your eyes with sunglasses that block UV rays is crucial, especially during prolonged sun exposure.
Ocular rosacea is a condition causing inflammation of the eyelids and the surface of the eye. It commonly affects individuals who also have rosacea, a skin condition causing facial flushing. Ocular rosacea can result in burning eyes along with other symptoms like pain, light sensitivity, red or bloodshot eyes, itching, and a sensation of having something stuck in the eye. Managing rosacea effectively can help alleviate ocular rosacea symptoms.
Pterygium and pinguecula are growths on the conjunctiva and cornea, respectively, that can also cause burning eyes. A pinguecula is a yellowish patch or bump on the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye), while a pterygium is a fleshy, triangular growth that can extend onto the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye). These growths are often attributed to a combination of dry eyes and UV light exposure, with dust and chronic eye irritation as contributing factors. Besides a burning sensation and the visible growth, pterygium and pinguecula can also cause itchiness and swelling.
In conclusion, burning eyes can be attributed to a wide range of factors, from common conditions like dry eyes and allergies to environmental factors and specific eye conditions. If you experience persistent or severe burning eyes, it is always recommended to consult an eye care professional for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan to address the underlying cause and find lasting relief.
