Burning eyes can have many different causes, some of which are serious and require specialized treatment.

If the burning persists, it’s best to be diagnosed by a healthcare provider.

This article will address the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of burning eyes.

burning eyes

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Burning Eyes Causes

Burning eyes can have several causes.

Here are some of the most common causes of burning eyes.

Blepharitis can affect both eyes or just one eye.

Blepharitis is not contagious.

Dryness

Dry eyesare due to not having enough tears or having tears of poor quality.

One symptom of dry eyes is burning.

Dry eyes are common, affecting about 20 million people in the United States.

Allergies

Allergiesdo not always just affect your nasal passages.

Burning is a common symptom associated with eye allergies.

Environmental triggers can include pollen, pet dander, dust, and smoke.

Sunburn

Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can causephotokeratitis.

you might think of this as asunburnon the eyes.

Using good protection for the eyes in bright conditions can help protect against photokeratitis.

Ocular Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness on the face.

However, for some people, it also can cause redness in or around the eyes.This is calledocular rosacea.

It is possible to have rosacea symptoms only in the eyes.

How Common Is Rosacea?

More than 14 million people in the United States are living with rosacea.

Pink eye easily spreads from person to person.

This can happen by sharing personal items like towels and makeup.

Frequently washing your hands can help prevent pink eye.

Another name for pterygium issurfer’s eye.

It’s resulting from wind and UV exposure.

Burning Eyes Symptoms

In addition to burning eyes, you may have other symptoms.

Those symptoms will depend on the exact cause of your burning eyes.

This can include a runny nose and sneezing.

This may include questions about:

Treatment

Treatment for burning eyes will depend on the cause.

Summary

Burning eyes can have several causes, including allergies, dryness, and pink eye.

In addition to burning eyes, you may have other symptoms.

There are treatments that can help provide relief.

Most commonly, additional symptoms would include coughing, fever, or headache.

Learn more:Allergies vs. COVID-19: What Are the Differences?

You should see an eye doctor if home treatments to stop burning eyes do not help.

Learn more:Causes of Eye Pain and Treatment Options

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American Academy of Ophthalmology.Dry eye disease.

American Optometric Association.Dry eye.

American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are eye allergies?

Dupuis P, Prokopich CL, Hynes A, et al.A contemporary look at allergic conjunctivitis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.

2020;16:5. doi: 10.1186/s13223-020-0403-9.

American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is photokeratitis–including snow blindness?

American Academy of Ophthalmology.Ocular rosacea.

American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: who gets and causes.

National Eye Institute.Pink eye.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pinguecula and pterygium.

Mount Sinai Health.Eye burning–itching and discharge.

2020 Nov; 26(11): 1560.e51560.e8.