Burning Eyes

If your eyes don’t produce enough tears, it can cause your eyes to burn. Dry, stinging eyes can look red, itch, feel like something is stuck in them and may water more than usual. You may also experience blurred vision and become more sensitive to light than usual.

If you get something in your eye like sand, dust or even a scratch, you can damage your cornea (the clear top layer that protects the rest of your eye). The cornea is the most sensitive part of the eye. If it’s damaged, it can be painful, burn and cause eye redness and blurred vision.

If you get an abrasive chemical like bleach or almost any fluid (including sprays) into your eye, it can damage your cornea and cause burning, redness and watering in your eyes.

Alkali burns are the most dangerous. These are often found in household products used to unblock toilets, drains and clean ovens. Acid burns are less severe but can still cause damage. Examples of acidic products include glass polish, vinegar, nail polish removers and car battery acid. Irritants can also cause pain, but don’t usually cause lasting damage to your eye. Most household detergents are classed as irritants.

If a chemical does splash into your eye, it’s important to flush them out with clean, lukewarm water, or using a saline solution for 15-20 minutes. Depending on the fluid and damage, you may need emergency medical treatment.

Burning eyes can also be caused by an allergic reaction from smoke, dust, pollen, mould spores, perfumes, pet dander, and foods. Other symptoms could be redness, tearing and itching in your eyes.

Ultraviolet light from sunlight, sun beds, welding equipment and lasers can cause a kind of ‘sunburn’ of the eye (photokeratitis).⁴ In addition to burning eyes, you may experience a gritty feeling in your eyes, and light sensitivity.

Blepharitis is a common condition that causes the edges of your eyelids to become red and swollen. It’s usually caused by certain skin conditions, a bacterial infection at the base of the eyelids, or eyelash mites (demodex). Other symptoms include dandruff-like flakes on the eyelashes and itchy, stinging eyelids. You may notice that your symptoms tend to be worse in the mornings.

Ocular rosacea is another condition that cause eyelid inflammation. It affects people who have rosacea, a skin condition that causes blushing or flushing and visible red blood vessels on the face. This can also cause pain, eye redness, itching and light sensitivity.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the transparent layer lining your inner eyelid and the white part of your eyeball). It’s a common condition that can be caused by infection, allergies or viruses including COVID-19.7 If your eyes burn along with eye redness, itchiness, blurred vision and a white or gloopy discharge in your eyes, it could be conjunctivitis.

1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dry-eyes/

2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-eye-emergency/basics/art-20056647#:~:text=If%20a%20chemical%20splashes%20into,for%20at%20least%2020%20minutes

3. https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/uploads/about/docs/our_publications/patient_information_leaflets/Eye_Department/Allergic_conjunctivitis_Hayfever_eyes_034-21.pdf

4. https://111.wales.nhs.uk/pdfs/arc.pdf

5. https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/uploads/about/docs/our_publications/patient_information_leaflets/Eye_Department/Contact_lenses_and_eye_infections_046-21.pdf

6. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321739

7. https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/09/2A-Info_sheetI_Symptoms_COVID19_v1.0-1.pdf

8. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321739#treatments-and-home-remedies

9. https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/090609dryeyes.pdf