What is Burning Eyes?
A burning sensation in the eye is often due to an underlying eye condition such as dry eye, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid) or pink eye (conjunctivitis).
Burning eyes may be caused due to various other factors such as environmental factors (dust, smoke, exposure to the sun and hair spray), allergic agents (fragrances, pet dander, pollen, and mold), age, bright lights, using contact lenses and certain medications.
Symptoms Associated with Burning Eyes
- Watering of the eyes
- Redness, discharge
- Itching
- Pain
Diagnosis of Burning Eyes
- Slit-lamp test
- Eyelid examination
- Assessment of eye movement
- The reaction of your pupil to light
- Examination of the visual field (the total area that your eye can visualize).
Treatments for Burning Eyes
Burning eyes can usually be successfully treated with medicated eye drops. If the burning sensation is due to environmental factors, changing your environment can help improve your symptoms. Applying cool compresses to the eyelids can also help to reduce the burning sensation. Burning eyes can often be prevented by avoiding problem environments with high allergens, protecting your eyes with sunglasses, eating healthy and nutritious food, and keeping track of any underlying medical conditions you may have.