Summary about Disease
Burning eyes, also known as ocular burning or eye irritation, is a common symptom characterized by a sensation of heat, stinging, or grittiness in the eyes. It is not a disease itself, but rather a symptom resulting from various underlying causes. The severity can range from mild and temporary to severe and chronic. It often accompanies other symptoms like redness, tearing, or dryness.
Symptoms
Burning sensation in the eyes
Stinging or gritty feeling
Redness
Excessive tearing or dryness
Itching
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Blurred vision
Feeling like something is in the eye
Causes
Dry Eye Disease: Insufficient tear production or poor tear quality.
Allergies: Exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander.
Environmental Irritants: Smoke, dust, pollution, chemical fumes.
Infections: Conjunctivitis (pink eye), blepharitis (eyelid inflammation).
Foreign Body: A foreign object in the eye (e.g., dust, eyelash).
Contact Lens Issues: Overwear, improper cleaning, or sensitivity to lens material.
Eye Strain: Prolonged screen time, reading, or driving.
Medications: Certain medications can cause dry eye as a side effect.
Underlying Medical Conditions: Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis.
Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids.
Medicine Used
Artificial Tears: Lubricating eye drops to relieve dryness.
Antihistamine Eye Drops: To relieve allergy symptoms.
Decongestant Eye Drops: To reduce redness (use sparingly).
Steroid Eye Drops: For severe inflammation (prescription only).
Antibiotic Eye Drops or Ointments: For bacterial infections (prescription only).
Cyclosporine Eye Drops (Restasis): To increase tear production in chronic dry eye (prescription only).
Lifitegrast (Xiidra): Another prescription eye drop for chronic dry eye.
Is Communicable
Burning eyes itself is not communicable. However, if the burning sensation is caused by an infectious condition like conjunctivitis (pink eye), then that underlying condition is communicable.
Precautions
Avoid rubbing your eyes.
Use artificial tears frequently.
Avoid environmental irritants like smoke and dust.
Maintain good hygiene: wash hands frequently.
If wearing contact lenses, follow proper cleaning and wearing instructions.
Take breaks during prolonged screen time.
Use a humidifier to increase humidity.
Avoid allergens if allergies are the cause.
See an eye doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.
How long does an outbreak last?
The duration of burning eyes depends on the underlying cause:
Temporary Irritation: A few hours to a day (e.g., from smoke exposure).
Allergies: As long as the allergen is present.
Infections (Conjunctivitis): Several days to a couple of weeks.
Dry Eye Disease: Chronic, may require ongoing management.
Blepharitis: Chronic, with periods of exacerbation and remission.
How is it diagnosed?
Medical History: Doctor will ask about symptoms, medical conditions, and medications.
Eye Exam: Physical examination of the eyes, including assessment of tear film and eyelids.
Slit-Lamp Examination: Using a microscope to examine the structures of the eye.
Tear Film Evaluation: Tests to measure tear production and quality (e.g., Schirmer test).
Allergy Testing: If allergies are suspected.
Culture: If infection is suspected, a sample may be taken to identify the causative agent.
Timeline of Symptoms
The timeline varies depending on the cause.
Acute Irritation: Symptoms may appear within minutes to hours of exposure to an irritant.
Allergies: Symptoms may appear shortly after exposure to an allergen and persist as long as the allergen is present.
Infections: Symptoms usually develop over a few days.
Dry Eye Disease/Blepharitis: Symptoms may develop gradually over time and be chronic.
Important Considerations
Burning eyes is a symptom, not a disease. Identifying the underlying cause is crucial for effective treatment.
Self-treating with over-the-counter remedies is often effective for mild cases, but persistent or severe symptoms warrant a visit to an eye doctor.
If burning eyes are accompanied by severe pain, vision loss, or sensitivity to light, seek immediate medical attention.
Long-term use of decongestant eye drops can worsen symptoms.
Proper hygiene is crucial, especially when dealing with potential infections.