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Eye burning – Symptoms, causes and treatments

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Introduction

Eye burning is discomfort and irritation caused in the eyes and maybe accompanied by rearing, itching and white discharge from the eyes. Eye burning is a common occurrence and can have various reasons, one of the most common being pollutants such as dust, smog, or chemicals such as chlorine, bleach etc.

What are the symptoms of Eye burning?

Eye burning is normally not something that requires medical attention and can subside on its own as well. You can always look for an online doctor consultation to resolve the issue at the earliest. A doctor visits may be necessary if it is persistent and is accompanied by:

  • Eye floaters
  • Double vision
  • Blurry vision
  • Eye discharge
  • Pus-like discharge
  • Bleeding
  • Severe eye pain
  • Sensitivity to light

What are the causes of Eye Burning?

The causes of eye burning are essential to be identified to prevent any problems in the future. The most likely causes of eye burning can be:

  • Blepharitis

This is caused by inflammation on the eyelids due to a sebaceous gland that has been blocked. If left untreated it has the capability of developing into a chronic disease.

  • Dry Eyes

This is a result of poor lubrication and causes redness and eyestrain to name a few. Dry eyes can be caused by smoke, allergies and excessive screen time. Medications such as antidepressants and antihistamines also cause dry eyes.

  • Allergies

Allergies to pollen, dander, dust etc. can trigger eye burning. If severe it can also lead to temporary loss of vision

  • Snow Blindness

Sunburn can occur if your eyes are overexposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This can include eye burn, redness, light sensitivity, headaches, impaired vision, and temporary visual impairment.

  • Ocular Rosacea

This ailment causes inflammation around the eyes accompanied with eye burning and redness. The most common reason for this is eyelash mites and it also occurs in people who have skin rosacea.

  • Surfer’s eye

This appears like a bump on the eyeball which can invade the cornea and cause blurry vision. Although it’s a benign bump it results in eye burning. The same can be removed surgically by an eye specialist in Aurangabad .

  • Conjunctivitis

This is a contagious disease caused by viral or bacterial infection and causes inflammation of the layer of tissue covering the white part of the eye.

  • Eye Fatigue

This is caused because of eye strain which is a result of prolonged screen time. It can also be a result of exposure to dry air.

What doctor to consult?

The doctors to consult for eye burning are ophthalmologists and optometrists who specifically study, diagnose, manage, and treat the diseases of the eyes. You can find these doctors online as well for online doctor consultations.

How is the diagnosis done?

It is essential to understand the underlying reason for eye burning by consulting a doctor as soon as possible. The diagnosis is done by taking the medical history of a person and making a list of symptoms they suffer. They may ask you questions regarding when the signs first occurred, is there anything that aggravates the issue and if there is any prior ailment that has already been affecting the eyes.

The specialist will further review any medications that you are taking as some medications also result in eye burning. Following this, a physical eye exam will be conducted through glasses or specialized equipment to analyze the eyes more closely and determine the extent of damage or dryness. Eye drops are also used in the process to understand the moisture and flow of tears in the eyes.

What is the treatment for this disease?

If the burning is caused due to chemical substances, then the specialist will continuously rinse the eyes and add eye drops by using a tool to hold the eyelid open until the chemical balance is restored. In case of a thermal burn, a cold compress will be used by the specialist to restore the temperature. 

Post these treatments medications and ointments will be prescribed to heal the eyes further. In case of severe damage, an eye surgery might be scheduled with the use of lasers and other specialized equipment.

Post-treatment care after surgery requires giving a lot of rest to the eyes and wearing black glasses to prevent light changes. Further, the eyes should be regularly moisturized through the prescribed eye drops. A diet may also be prescribed by the doctor to further enhance recovery. 

Are there any home remedies for eye burning?

There are some home remedies that can be followed post-doctor consultation:

  • Applying a cold compress to soothe irritation
  • Apply a warm compress for scabs and cleaning discharge.
  • Touching eyes with clean hands only
  • Using eye drops to restore balance

You can find eye specialists by doing a simple google search for e.g., if you are looking for an eye specialist in Aurangabad, you can search for doctors through patient reviews and years of experience and then book a consultation.