A burning sensation in the eyes is described as a sharp prolonged pain. Its onset can be acute or it can also be due to the presence of a chronic condition. Treating burning pain in the eyes is going to depend on the cause of the condition.
Burning Sensation in Eyes Causes
There are many possible causes of burning sensation in the eyes, they include:
- Irritation, irritants can enter the area of the eye and cause the sensation, some of the most common irritants include:
- Sweat.
- Dust. Dust may come into the eye unnoticed and start the burning sensation.
- Smoke. This can be from cigarettes or from any source. They dry out the outer layer of eye, which can cause burning. Creams and facial washes can also irritate the eye causing burning.
- Chemicals. These can include those found in laboratories or industrial areas
- Cosmetic products. These can include eye shadows, mascara, foundation, eyelash glue, etc.
- Sweat.
- Dry Eyes. This is very common and can occur a lot in temperature extremes.
- Corneal Abrasions. Scratches in the cornea can lead to pain, watery eyes, and feeling of having something on the surface of the eye.
- Inflammation. A number of inflammatory conditions can dry the eye out and can cause burning pain. Some of the common eye infections include:
- Conjunctivitis
- Blepharitis
- Stye or Chalazion, these can erupt unexpectedly and cause the burning pain.
- Uveitis
- Iritis. This is the infection or inflammation of the iris or the colored part of the eye.
- Optic Neuritis. This is the inflammation of the optic nerve; it can also lead to problems with vision.
Symptoms that are a Cause for Concern
The burning sensation is likely accompanied by other symptoms. It becomes a cause for concern when the following symptoms are present.
- Extreme light sensitivity
- Loss of vision or a degeneration in vision.
- Double vision
- New floaters
- Seeing halos around light.
- Pain with eye movement.
- Flashes of light
- Severe headache
- Changes in the shape of the pupil.
- Eye protrusion
Burning Sensation in Eyes Home Remedies
Home remedies for this condition may be used when the problem is due to the presence of an irritant. Some common home treatments include:
- Wash the eye out in water or in a saline solution, there are commercially available eye washes.
- Use a gentle soap when washing the eyes.
- Remove all makeup and avoid putting cosmetic products on the area near the face before bed.
When it comes to chemical irritants, it may be important to seek medical help as the chemical can damage the eye.