• WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BURNING SENSATION IN YOUR EYES

    We’re all familiar with that burning feeling you can sometimes get in your eyes. Maybe it’s because you spent the day at the swimming pool, maybe it’s because you got smoke in your eyes from a firepit, or maybe you have been staring at a screen for too long–in fact, if you’re reading this and you’ve been staring at the screen for too long, take a little break before reading on. But, these are explicable and expected reasons your eyes might get irritated. What does it mean when you’re eyes are burning and you cannot think of a reason why?

    We are going to explore some common reasons your eyes may be burning, and what to do to about them:

    ALLERGIES

    Smoke, dust, mold, smog, pollen, pet hair, and other airborne irritants can make your eyes burn. Burning eyes is a common indicator of an allergic reaction. Typically, burning eyes from allergies are accompanied by redness, itchiness, and watering of the eyes, as well as sneezing and a runny nose. These may be the symptoms of a common cold instead of allergies, so visiting your optometrist can help determine the cause and how to treat it.

    INFECTION & VIRUSES

    A host of viruses and bacteria can cause your eyes to inflame and have a burning sensation. Pink eye and blepharitis are some common irritations typically caused by infections from bacteria or viruses. Typically, infections are accompanied by other symptoms as well. For example, pink eye is accompanied by a distinct redness of the eye and discharge that lasts over a period of days. Blepharitis often exhibits a crusty discharge, swelling, excessive tearing, and loss of eyelashes. If your eyes are burning and accompanied by other unusual symptoms, you should visit an eye doctor as soon as possible for treatment.

    EYE CONDITIONS

    In some cases, your eyes may be burning as the symptom of a developing condition. Dry-eye syndrome and ocular rosacea are some conditions that cause your eyes to burn. Many rosacea patients’ condition is accompanied by subtype 4 rosacea, which is a redness and burning irritation in the eyes. If you are diagnosed with rosacea and notice your eyes are beginning to burn and turn red, you may be developing ocular rosacea.

    If your burning eyes aren’t partnered with other symptoms, it may be a temporary sensation from some external factor. Even the simple act of leaving your contacts in for too long can irritate your eyes. Give your eyes some time to recover back to normal. If the burning persists or grows worse over a couple of days, you should visit an eye doctor.

    Do your eyes feel like they’re burning? Are they exhibiting other symptoms that may indicate a more serious problem? Contact Silverstein Eye Centers today at (816) 358-3600 or request your appointment online. We can serve you at our convenient location in Independence/Kansas City.

    Posted January 5, 2016 by Silverstein Eye Centers
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