Are your eyes burning? Do they suddenly feel red and puffy? There can be a number of reasons why you suddenly feel this painful sensation in your eyes. Burning can happen due to pain or itching, or it can happen all on its own. As a leading eye doctor in Orange County, Dr. Ghosheh can help you find the root of the problem and treat it as quickly as possible. Here are some of the main causes of the burning eyes sensation.
Causes for Eyes Burning
The reasons why your eyes are burning can be anything from simple to complicated. You may be dealing with seasonal allergies, or you might have a bacterial infection. These are some of the main sources of irritation in the eyes:
General Irritation
It might be something as simple as leaving your contacts in for too long. This can dry out your eyes and spread general discomfort throughout. Your eyes can also become itchy due to bad weather or dry winds.
If the burning sensation persists for more than a few minutes, and you experience it repeatedly over periods of time, it’s likely that the cause is something more serious.
Allergies
Allergies are never fun. Especially because they cause inflammation in the face. That includes the eyes and eyelids, which eventually leads to burning. Seasonal allergies, as well as the common cold and flu viruses, can make the eyes feel puffy and burning until you are fully recovered.
Sunburn
Did you know that you can get sunburned in your eyes? Medical News Today describes excessive exposure to UV rays as a burning sensation that can also cause pain, sensitivity, and the appearance of halos around lights. Eye sunburn can cause serious damage, and our Advanced Eye Medical treatments can help reduce these symptoms to stop the burning.
Infection
There may be some times when a bacterial infection causes the skin around the eye to become flaky. This is known as blepharitis. It can cause the eyes to turn red, burn, and swell.
Treatment Options
When your eyes are burning, you want relief as quickly as possible. If the cause for the burning is minor (accidentally getting some sunscreen in your eyes, for example), you can rinse out your eyes with clean water to quickly relieve you of the pain. But if the burning is more serious, you may need additional help.
Your eye doctor can prescribe specific eye drops that can reduce your burning pain, especially if seasonal allergies are to blame. When you know those months are coming, you can use the eye drops to reduce the typical burning you get due to allergen irritation.
You must reach out to your eye doctor ASAP if your burning sensation is accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Flashes of light
- Eye floaters
- Residue from the eyes
You may need help cleaning the areas around your eyes, such as the base of the eyelashes or eyelids. After medicated eye drops are prescribed, you may also be given an antihistamine to reduce swelling and infection. Meanwhile, you can invest in home remedies that include using cold compresses and drinking plenty of water. It is also advised to wear sunglasses while outdoors to prevent more irritation from the sun’s UV rays.
Eye Doctor Orange County
At Advanced Eye Medical, we use cutting-edge resources and techniques to help you achieve the best eye health possible. If your eyes are feeling irritated, dry, or painful, it’s important to seek medical help fast. Dr. Ghosheh and his team of friendly professionals are available to schedule your free consultation or a vision exam. For more information about us, or to set your appointment today to discuss Lasik in Orange County, give us a call at (888) 439-6565.