Burning in the eyes

"The eyes are the mirror of the soul." And so you want it to be pleasant to look into. But human vision is capricious, if it is lost, then it is almost impossible to restore it to its previous form. If unpleasant symptoms and discomfort appear, including burning in the eyes, then you must immediately consult an ophthalmologist, otherwise the consequences may be unpredictable.

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Causes of burning eyes

Burning eyes are quite an unpleasant symptom, it not only interferes with life, bringing discomfort, but also visually makes the eyes tired, red, which does not add beauty to a person (especially a woman). If such a problem has arisen, it must be dealt with, and in order to effectively treat it, you need to know the causes of burning eyes.

• Eye injury: impact, fall, small sharp object hitting the cornea of the eye.
• Infectious eye disease. The etiology of such diseases can be different. Its causative agents can be fungal, viral infections, as well as pathogenic flora. Such symptoms can be provoked by such diseases as flu, conjunctivitis, acute respiratory viral infections and others.
• Eye strain and fatigue can also cause burning in the eyes.
• Increased intraocular pressure associated with some disease of a neuralgic or ophthalmological nature.
• Increased tearing and burning in the eyes can be symptoms of an allergic reaction to some irritant.
• Burns of various etiologies. They can be of a thermal nature (exposure to objects with high temperatures: steam, hot water, etc.), as well as chemical effects (when a chemical substance gets into the eyes: household chemicals, chemical reagents, etc.)
• The endocrine system - problems with the thyroid gland - can also be the cause of burning eyes.
• Tobacco smoke.
• Ophthalmological diseases can also lead to such symptoms. For example, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, cataracts and others.
• Working air conditioner.
• A burning and gritty sensation in the eyes may occur due to a decrease in the production of fluid by the lacrimal glands, meaning the patient experiences a “dry eye effect.”
• Burning in the eyes can also be caused by the wrong choice of contact lenses or by violating hygiene rules when wearing them.

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Symptoms of burning eyes

What are the symptoms of burning eyes? This is a somewhat incorrect question. Since burning in itself is a symptom of many diseases. It is expressed by the appearance of discomfort: itching, peeling and redness in the eye area. Swelling and stronger discharge of fluid from the tear duct, photophobia may appear. In some cases, redness appears even on the iris.

Burning sensation around the eyes

In most cases, burning around the eyes indicates a dermatological disease. One of these, more common than other diseases, is demodicosis. Its causative agent is usually the mite-iron or demodex (eyelash mite), which settles in the follicle of the hair of the eyelashes, in the cavity of the sebaceous glands and meibomian secretions of the eyelid. This pathology occurs mostly in adults, in children such cases are isolated. Clinically, this living organism does not manifest itself for the time being. And only when suitable soil appears, the parasite becomes active and gives impetus to the progression of the disease.

Such soil can be:

• Pathology of endocrine gland function.
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Pathology of the sebaceous glands.
• Various liver diseases.
• Pathological changes occurring in the nervous system.
• And others.

Also, burning around the eyes can be caused by an allergic reaction (vascular dystonia), for example, to a cream applied to the face.

To correctly diagnose the cause of the burning sensation, the patient must immediately contact the local therapist, who, if necessary, will refer to a more specialized doctor: a dermatologist, ophthalmologist, allergist, and so on.

Pain and burning in the eyes

Itching and burning sensations can be a symptom of many diseases, and only by consulting a doctor can you make a correct diagnosis and establish the causes of its occurrence. Some diseases have pain and burning in the eyes in their symptoms. Painful manifestations can be both internal and external. In terms of intensity, they can be sharp and pulsating, or they can be dull and aching. The pain can last constantly or its manifestation differs in periodicity. Often, painful symptoms are accompanied by redness of the eye. You can't delay. An urgent consultation and examination by a doctor is necessary, who will provide first aid.

When pain and burning in the eyes are constant, especially if it intensifies with pressure or during movement, these symptoms can indicate an inflammatory etiology of the process: uveitis (inflammation of the vascular membrane of the eye), iridocyclitis (inflammation of the ciliary body of the eyeball and iris), conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye), and others. In this case, medical care should be provided as quickly as possible.

Stinging and burning sensation in the eyes

Redness, discomfort, stinging and burning in the eyes - this is not always associated with a speck of dirt in the eye or sitting in front of the computer for a long time. These and some other manifestations may be symptoms of inflammatory processes that occur in the eye area. With inflammation of the mucous membrane, conjunctivitis progresses. Such diseases as blepharitis and fungal lesions of the mucous membrane manifest themselves with the same symptoms.

Burning and stinging in the eyes are often accompanied by redness, increased tear secretion from the tear duct, and pain when exposed to light. Stinging in the eyes can also occur in a smoky, dusty room, in a room with a low percentage of humidity (that is, when the air in the room is quite dry). These symptoms are also quite common in people wearing soft contact lenses.

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Burning and redness of the eyes

Blepharitis is one of the most common causes of redness of the eye. The causative agent of the inflammatory process is often an infection that affects the follicles located in the moist area of the eyelid. But this symptom is not the only indicator of this disease. Burning and redness of the eyes, irritating itching, the formation of a dry crust that covers the eyelid - all this signals to its owner that an infection has entered the body and it is necessary to take urgent measures. At the same time, self-medication is not worth it, the wrong selection of drugs and their dosage can cause even greater harm to the patient's health.

Conjunctivitis can show the same symptoms. There are many pathogens of this disease: pathogenic bacteria, various viruses, irritating allergic particles. If the cause of conjunctivitis is a virus, then such a patient is dangerous to others, since "this infection" can be contracted by airborne droplets.

One of the most dangerous diseases accompanied by burning in the eyes is uveitis - an inflammatory process occurring in the blood vessels that cover the entire membrane of the eye.

And the disease itself with its manifestations is not as scary as the complications after it. The primary cause of the disease can be autoimmune pathology, poisoning with toxic vapors, severe infections. One of the main and severe consequences of this disease is complete blindness.

Another cause of burning in the eyes can be corneal ulcers - a fairly rare phenomenon. Ulcers appear due to damage to the iris of the eye by a certain category of pathogenic bacteria.

The eye may also become "red" in the case of an exacerbation of glaucoma, in which intraocular pressure rises sharply. In this case, acute pain and visual impairment are felt.

Another cause of burning and redness of the eye may be corneal trauma. Scratches can appear on the surface due to microparticles of dust or improper use of contact lenses.

A decrease in blood clotting or taking large doses of medications can also cause redness and burning of the eye.

Therefore, to get rid of burning in the eyes, it is necessary first of all to establish the cause that became the impetus for the disease and only after that to start treatment. It is necessary to treat not the symptom itself, but its cause. But it is necessary to remember that under no circumstances should you touch your eyes with your hands, scratch or rub them - redness and itching will only increase. It is necessary, without delay, to consult a doctor for examination.

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Burning and tearing eyes

Burning in the eyes and watery eyes are usually a sign of a developing allergic reaction. The lacrimatory glands begin to produce fluid at an increased rate, as if they want to wash away the irritant that led to such consequences. Therefore, if signs of an allergy appear, it is necessary to take an antihistamine in time (in the form of one or two tablets) and use drops that contain corticosteroid hormones.

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Dryness and burning in the eyes

If a person spends a long period of time at the computer or his work requires him to be focused and attentive all the time, the eyes are constantly under stress, as a result - getting the syndrome of "dry eyes". Working with office equipment, the eyes "forget" to blink often, moistening the mucous membrane with moisture, it begins to dry out, which provokes dryness and burning in the eyes.

In this case, you should use drops (the so-called "Artificial tears"), which will moisturize the surface of the eyeball. In the evening, before going to bed, it is advisable to carry out procedures that relax the eye muscles, for example, put compresses from a decoction of chamomile.

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Burning sensation under the eyes

The most vulnerable place on the human face is the skin above and under the eyes. In these areas it is four times thinner than in the rest. Due to this, they are the first to age, and they are the most vulnerable place for infection and other irritants. Quite often, especially in the spring and autumn, burning under the eyes appears as a reaction to allergenic microparticles, although the same picture can also be shown by dermatological diseases.

Therefore, you should not self-medicate: diagnose yourself and prescribe treatment. This should be done by a specialist. In this case, you need to make an appointment with an allergist and dermatologist, only they will correctly differentiate the disease and prescribe adequate treatment.

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Burning skin around the eyes

The most delicate and sensitive skin on the human face is around the eye. It is the first to react to any external or internal irritants and disorders. Burning skin around the eyes can be a symptom of both an allergic reaction to some medication and a super modern elite cream. Only an allergist or dermatologist can tell the cause of these manifestations after conducting a series of clinical tests. Therefore, do not get upset or start treatment on your own. It is better to do this as prescribed and under the supervision of a specialist.

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Severe burning sensation in the eyes

A strong burning sensation in the eyes can be a symptom of a pathology caused by a corneal burn. If the rules for using chemicals were violated (work is related to chemical production or unsuccessful handling of household chemicals, etc.), then there is a high probability of getting a chemical burn of the eye, both through vapors and when liquid fractions directly enter the eye area.

The burn may be of thermal origin, i.e. formed under the influence of high temperatures. In this case, the victim experiences pain and a strong burning sensation in the eyes. In this case, urgent medical care is needed, since the complication may be complete blindness of the person.

Diagnosis of burning eyes

In case of injury, burn or manifestation of the symptoms described above, it is necessary to urgently seek advice and examination from an ophthalmologist, who will conduct a full diagnosis of the patient and only then make his verdict - make a diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.

Diagnosis of burning eyes includes:

• Visual examination of the patient by the doctor.
• Clarification of the patient's symptoms and medical history.
• Determination of sensitivity to light.
• Reaction of the pupils to a light stimulus.
• Do you feel pain when moving your eyes?
• Is there a decrease in vision?
• If there is a suspicion of a bacteriological or infectious cause of infection, the doctor will prescribe the necessary clinical tests.

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Treatment for burning eyes

Many may think that burning in the eyes is a minor discomfort that can be eliminated by taking a pill or putting drops in the eyes. But it is worth warning right away that self-medication is not the best solution to this problem. Incorrect use of drops can further aggravate the health situation. Therefore, if you experience a burning sensation in the eyes, immediately contact your therapist or make an appointment with an ophthalmologist directly. Only a specialist, having established the correct diagnosis, can prescribe adequate treatment.

If the cause of the unpleasant sensations is an infection, pathogenic flora or virus, then, accordingly, drugs are prescribed that are able to resist and fight it.

• Tetracycline eye ointment

The doctor prescribes this drug for corneal burns, minor household injuries, conjunctivitis and other eye diseases caused by pathogenic microbes.

The ointment is squeezed out of the tube very carefully, and a small amount (5-6 mm) is injected under the eyelid. This procedure should be performed three to five times a day. The duration of the treatment cycle depends on the clinical pathology.

The ointment must be applied very carefully so as not to injure the mucous membrane with the tip. After application, the tip of the tube must be wiped, preventing dirt and infection from getting inside the tube.

This ointment has virtually no contraindications or side effects, except for individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

• Levomycetin (a broad-spectrum antibiotic)

This medicine is administered orally half an hour before meals, if the patient's symptoms include nausea with vomiting reflexes, then it is better to take it an hour after eating. The dose is selected strictly individually, depending on the clinical picture and the severity of its manifestation.

The starting dosage for an adult patient starts with 250–500 mg. The number of doses is three to four per day. The average daily dose is 2 g, and in case of severe symptoms this value can be increased to 3 g per day.

For children aged three to eight years, a single dose is prescribed significantly lower - 150-200 mg in three to four doses. For children over eight years old - 200-300 mg with the same three to four doses of the drug.

The average duration of treatment is from one week to ten days, and only in case of medical necessity, in the absence of side effects, can the use of this drug be extended to two weeks.

The considered medical product is contraindicated for patients who suffer from increased individual sensitivity to the components of the drug, acute respiratory disease, skin diseases (such as, for example, psoriasis), if there is a history of eczema, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Also, this medicine should not be given to children under three years of age.

If the burning sensation in the eyes is caused by the “dry eye effect”, the doctor prescribes “Artificial tears” drops to the patient.

These drops are dripped directly into the conjunctival sac. The procedure is repeated four to eight times a day, introducing one to two drops. Duration is at least two to three weeks. The patient should drink a lot (at least two liters) of liquid throughout the day.

If the burning sensation in the eyes appears as a result of prolonged strain experienced by the eyes, then it is necessary to make it a habit to take a break for the eyes during the working day, to do relaxing gymnastics. Just sit with your eyes closed, relaxing as much as possible for 10-15 minutes and the visual apparatus is again ready for full-fledged work.

There are also many traditional medicine recipes that are great for relieving tension and inflammatory processes in the eye area.

For example, lotions made from chamomile decoction. It can be applied to the eyes both in the morning and in the evening. Beforehand, it is necessary to remove all makeup from the face.

Pour a glass of boiling water over two tablespoons of chamomile and keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then set aside and leave for another 45 minutes. Cool. The decoction is ready. Now you need to dip cotton swabs into the warm decoction and apply them to your closed eyelids, hold for one to two minutes. Repeat the procedure three to four times.

• Potato poultices

This procedure, which is carried out before bed, allows you to relieve minor burning in the eyes, remove dark circles that have formed on the lower eyelid. You need to boil one potato in its skin until fully cooked and cool it slightly. Cut it into two halves and apply it to closed eyelids while warm for 20-30 minutes. A similar procedure can be done with raw potatoes. You need to hold this compress on your eyes for 15 minutes.

• Tea compresses

A couple of tea bags should be doused with boiled water, placed in the freezer for a short time, after cooling them down. Place these bags on your closed eyes for about ten minutes. This will help relieve symptoms of fatigue from stress or a sleepless night.

• Nut poultice

Such manipulations will help remove the redness of the whites of the eye. Take a nutmeg grated on a fine grater, soak it in warm milk for some time. Squeeze it slightly and apply the resulting gruel to the area of the upper and lower eyelids. It is necessary to try to ensure that this composition does not get into the eye sockets.

Herbal compresses:

• Compresses made from mint leaves are excellent for relieving inflammation.
• Pain, burning in the eyes and fatigue can be relieved by an infusion of linden and chamomile. Take one tablespoon of each plant and pour a glass of boiled water over the resulting mixture. Let it brew for a while, cool it down, bringing the temperature of the decoction to room temperature. Strain. Soak a couple of cotton swabs in the decoction and apply them to the eyes for about ten minutes.
• Pour two cups of boiling water over two tablespoons of mint. Keep on the fire for five minutes. Cool to room temperature, strain. Soak two cotton swabs in the resulting liquid and apply to the eyes for two minutes. Soak again and apply again. Do this three to four times.
• If you feel a stinging and burning sensation in your eyes, a decoction of onion peels is perfect, which you need to drink half a glass four times a day between meals and before bed. To get the decoction, you need to pour half a liter of water over a handful of peels, hold it in a water bath for ten minutes, and then let it brew for another two hours. You need to take it for at least two months, and ideally from seven to nine months (the whole summer).
• Fruit compresses will also leave a wonderful mark on your face. Any finely grated fruit (strawberry, kiwi, apple and many others) should be placed in a gauze envelope and applied to the eyelids. A bright, fresh, glowing look is guaranteed.
• An inflammatory process with purulent discharge and burning in the eyes can be removed with a pharmacy calendula tincture (you can also make it at home). It must be diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1:10. Apply compresses of cotton swabs soaked in this solution to the eyes.
• In case of purulent inflammatory process, a medium-sized aloe leaf infused in one glass of boiled water at room temperature will also help. A compress soaked in such a composition is applied to the eyes. Itching, burning and inflammation pass very quickly.

Eye drops for burning eyes

Eye drops for burning eyes are also widely used in ophthalmology. Pharmacy counters boast a wide selection of them. Let's look at some of them.

Oftalmoferon

The drug is administered conjunctivally, that is, directly into the conjunctival sac of the eye, to both adults and children.

• For “dry eye syndrome,” the eye receives one or two drops twice a day for 25–30 days (until the symptoms disappear).
• In case of viral pathology, the eyes are instilled one or two drops six to eight times a day. As the disease recedes, the number of approaches decreases to two or three times a day. And so on until complete recovery.
• For preventive purposes, the drug is taken in the same quantity, but for ten days.

It is not recommended to use these medicinal drops for patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, during pregnancy and lactation (only as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision). No side effects of these drops have been noted.

Cipromed

One to two drops are administered into the conjunctival sacs. The number of doses is determined based on the severity of the disease and the neglect of the inflammatory process.

• for blepharitis of any etiology, severe bacterial conjunctivitis, uveitis, the number of doses is from four to eight per day. The duration of the dose is determined by the severity of the disease, from five to 14 days.
• In case of infectious lesions, drip one drop at a time, but as often as possible – from eight to twelve times a day. The maximum positive effect can be achieved in two to four weeks.
• In case of eye injury, one drop is instilled four to eight times a day for one to two weeks.
• for preventive measures necessary to prevent inflammatory processes after surgical intervention, drip one drop into the conjunctival sac in four to six doses. The course of treatment usually lasts from five days to one month.

Emoxipin

This drug improves microcirculation of the eye vessels, which helps speed up the process of resorption of hemorrhages of various etiologies.

This medicine is prescribed one to two drops subconjunctivally (under the mucous membrane of the eye) two to three times a day. Depending on the severity of symptoms, the drops can be taken for three to 30 days. If a medical need arises, the course of treatment can be extended further.

Contraindications to the use of this medicine include hypersensitivity to the drug and pregnancy. Eye drops for burning eyes should be taken with caution, without mixing with other medications. Before the procedure, contact lenses should be removed if the patient uses them. They can be put on only no earlier than 20 minutes after instillation.

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Thiotriazolin (Thiotriazolinum)

The ophthalmologist prescribes these drops to patients suffering from burning in the eyes caused by a burn or injury, as well as viral conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome.

This drug is dripped into the conjunctival sac for the period prescribed by the attending physician in each individual case. As a rule, two drops are dripped, three to four times a day.

In case of dry eye, the medicine is administered two drops every two hours during the time spent working at the computer.

There are no known side effects of this drug, and the only contraindication is hypersensitivity of the patient's body to the components of the eye drops.

Sodium sulfacyl

Sodium sulfacyl in the treatment course of an adult is used 30% of its solution. For children, only a solution of 20% concentration can be used. The usual dosage is one to two drops three to six times a day. Gradually, the number of doses is reduced as the symptoms weaken.

This drug is contraindicated in patients suffering from hypersensitivity to any of its components.

Prevention of burning eyes

What can be advised to a person to protect themselves as much as possible from the occurrence of diseases that lead to the appearance of burning in the eyes? These rules are quite simple and accessible to everyone.

Prevention of burning eyes includes several points:

• Compliance with personal hygiene rules.
• Preventive examination by an ophthalmologist once every six months.
• It is imperative to remove all makeup from your face at night.
• It is necessary to adhere to a schedule of rest for the eyes - every one and a half to two hours relax the eye muscles (10 - 15 minutes), for example, look out the window. There should also be a full eight-hour sleep.
• Do eye exercises throughout the day.
• If necessary, use artificial tears drops.
• Don't be nervous.
• Periodically “delight” your eyes with nourishing compresses.
• If you experience the slightest discomfort, consult a doctor immediately.

Burning Eyes Forecast

If the patient has consulted a doctor in time and at an early stage, the prognosis for burning in the eyes will be definitely favorable. In the case of only severe pathology (for example, with a burn and injury to the cornea of the eye), untimely contact with a doctor, the consequences can be dire - up to complete loss of vision.

Many respondents are slightly dismissive of such a symptom as burning in the eyes, considering it insignificant and mild (put drops in the eye and everything will pass). But this is fundamentally wrong, since this symptom can be an indicator of quite serious diseases. Self-medication should not be done either. The wrong choice of drug can do a "disservice", further worsening the patient's condition. Therefore, at the first symptoms, in the form of burning in the eyes, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, only in this case you will get out of the current situation with the least losses.