Key Takeaways
- Tears mix water, oil, and mucus to keep your eye surface comfortable.
- Reflex tears carry extra salt, which can make them sting.
- Smoke, dust, soap, sunscreen, and pollen can contribute to burning.
- Dry eye, blepharitis, pink eye, and allergies can contribute to burning and watering.
- Rinsing, compresses, and drops can calm mild irritation at home.
- An eye exam can pinpoint what is behind ongoing symptoms.
Dry Eye May Be the Culprit
In most cases, your tears burn because of higher salt content or because of conditions like dry eye and blepharitis that leave the surface of your eyes feeling sore. If the burning sensation keeps coming back, our dry eye program at Vision Veritas can assess your tear film and look at your eyelids to identify the cause of your discomfort.
What Tears Do for Your Eyes
Your tears aren’t just made of water. They actually consist of three ingredients: water, mucus, and oil. These three substances work together to coat the front of your eyes when you blink. Tears rinse away dust and debris and keep the surface of your eyes smooth and comfortable. When your tear film isn’t working properly, irritation often results.
The Three Types of Tears
Your eyes make three different kinds of tears, and each one has its own job:
- Basal tears provide everyday protection for the surface of your eye.
- Reflex tears flush out irritants like smoke or a stray eyelash.
- Emotional tears are the ones that show up when you cry.
Everyday Reasons Your Tears Sting
If your tears sting, the cause is often straightforward. Sweat, smoke from a grill, dust kicked up in the garage, sand at the lake, or even shampoo running down your forehead can all cause this sensation.
Dry indoor air plays a part too, especially with the air conditioning running much of the year in North Texas. Add pollen to the mix, and your eyes are dealing with a lot at once.
Why Reflex Tears Feel Salty & Sharp
Reflex tears carry extra salt, and that higher salt content can sometimes cause a burning sensation. Your body uses reflex tears to wash away irritants or as a protective measure when your eyes are dry.
Eye Conditions Behind Burning & Watery Eyes
In some cases, it’s not actually your tears themselves that cause discomfort. For instance, dry eye disease can leave your eyes feeling gritty and scratchy, while pink eye can also leave your eyes red and stinging. Your tears might make the discomfort worse, but the cause is still the underlying condition.
Signs to Watch For
If you experience any of the following, we recommend that you schedule an appointment:
- Redness, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light.
- Burning every single time you cry.
- Symptoms that persist or worsen instead of settling down.
- Pain, swelling, or changes in your vision.
How to Calm Burning Eyes at Home
For mild irritation, a few simple steps can take the edge off:
- Rinse away sweat, soap, or cosmetics with clean water.
- Try a warm or cool compress over closed lids.
- Use artificial tears or allergy drops.
- Run a humidifier to take the bite out of dry indoor air.
- Take regular breaks from your screen work. This gives your eyes time to recover and gives you time to replenish your tear film.
See an Optometrist in Dallas
As your optometrist, we can evaluate the health of your eyelids and your tear film. Depending on what we find, we’ll recommend a treatment approach that may include intense pulsed light, TearCare, and XDEMVY.
Book a dry eye consult with our team at Vision Veritas and get your eyes feeling comfortable again.
