You try to focus on your work, read a book, or just relax, but a nagging, burning feeling in your eyes keeps distracting you. It’s a frustrating experience that can make it hard to get through your day. At Vision Veritas Eyecare, our team often helps people identify the cause of their discomfort so they can start feeling better.
The burning sensation in your eyes often comes from common issues like digital eye strain, dry eye syndrome, or environmental irritants.
Common Reasons for That Burning Sensation
That burning feeling is your eyes telling you something is wrong. From your environment to your daily habits, several things can contribute to the irritation.
Digital Eye Strain
You might spend a lot of time looking at screens, like your computer, phone, or tablet. This can tire your eyes, leading to symptoms like a burning feeling and blurry vision. These symptoms might be signs of prolonged eye strain.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Sometimes your eyes do not produce enough tears, or they produce tears that are not of the right quality. This condition, known as dry eye, often includes burning as a symptom. You might also notice:
- A sandy or gritty feeling
- Redness
- Stringy mucus near your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
Environmental Irritants and Allergies
Your surroundings can have a big impact on how your eyes feel. Irritants like dust, smoke, wind, or dry air from heating and air conditioning can all cause that burning feeling. Seasonal allergies are another frequent cause of itchy, watery, and burning eyes, and their symptoms can sometimes be confused with other conditions.
Lifestyle Factors
A few of your everyday habits could be contributing to eye discomfort. Not drinking enough water throughout the day, high levels of stress, or not getting enough sleep can all play a part in eye irritation.
How Your Tears Protect Your Eyes and Provide Comfort
Healthy tears are much more than just water. They are designed to keep your eyes lubricated and protected with a complex structure. A stable tear film has 3 layers: An oily outer layer, a watery middle layer, and a mucus inner layer. The oily layer is key because it prevents your tears from drying up too quickly.
Blocked Oil Glands
The tiny meibomian glands that line your eyelids are responsible for producing the oil for your tear film. If these glands get clogged, the oil can’t do its job correctly. This condition is a leading cause of dry eye and could be the reason for the burning sensation you feel.
Simple Steps for Relief at Home
You can often manage mild eye irritation by making a few adjustments to your daily routine. These simple habits can help soothe your eyes and may prevent the burning from returning.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes you look at a screen, take a 20-second break to look at something at least 20 feet away.
- Blink more often: Try to blink fully and frequently, especially during screen time. This helps spread a fresh layer of tears over your eyes.
- Use a humidifier: Add moisture to the air in your home or office to help slow down tear evaporation.
- Apply warm compresses: A warm, damp cloth held over your closed eyelids for a few minutes can soothe irritation and may help unclog oil glands.
When You Should See an Optometrist
If these at-home steps do not bring relief or your symptoms continue, it is a good idea to schedule an eye exam. You should connect with an optometrist if you experience any of the following:
- Burning that lasts for several days
- Changes in your vision
- Discomfort in your eyes
- Any discharge from your eyes
A comprehensive exam can do more than just test your vision. Learning what diseases an eye exam can detect may help you understand the importance of regular checkups.
Professional Care and Treatment Options
For chronic dry eye, an eye doctor can offer treatments that go beyond what you can do at home. These options focus on addressing the problem’s contributing factors rather than just managing its symptoms.
A Close Look at Your Tear Film
An optometrist can use special tools to check your tear quality and the health of your meibomian glands. This detailed evaluation helps the team create a personalized plan to help provide you with relief.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
One available treatment for dry eye is intense pulsed light, or IPL. This procedure uses gentle pulses of light to warm and unclog the blocked oil glands along your eyelids. This process helps improve the natural flow of oil into your tears, which can stabilize your tear film and soothe that burning feeling.
Discover Comfort Again
You don’t have to live with the discomfort of burning eyes. If you are ready to find a solution that works for you, the team at Vision Veritas Eyecare is here to help. Schedule your appointment today to get to the bottom of your eye irritation and find clear, comfortable vision.
