8 Causes of Burning Eyes and Blurry Vision
You’re probably familiar with the feeling of burning or stinging eyes, but you may not always know what’s causing this irritation. A variety of causes can be behind this type of pain. To pinpoint the exact culprit, visit our Cedar Park, Texas , eye doctor for an eye exam. To prepare you for your visit to Lakeline Vision Source, here’s a heads up about the possible diagnoses that you may hear:
1. Eye Allergies
Allergic conjunctivitis, which is a type of pink eye caused by allergens, is a classic cause of burning eyes. Allergens, such as pollen, dust, and pet dander, irritate the delicate membrane that covers both the inside of your eyelids and your eyes. Just like in all allergies, your body overreacts to a harmless substance that triggers an immune response. To protect your body from what it perceives as a health threat, your immune system releases antibodies (immunoglobulin) that travel through your body releasing chemicals that prompt an allergic reaction – giving you burning eyes often accompanied by itching.
2. Dry eyes
In general, eyes burn when they dry out, and vision can be blurry. How and why do dry eyes happen? The healthy eye surface is coated in a lubricating tear film that has three layers: a mucous layer that helps to disperse tears evenly, a thick and watery middle layer, and an outer layer that has an oily composition. This oily outer surface is essential for preventing evaporation of the water layer. The oil comes from sweat glands in your eyelids that are stimulated by blinking. That’s why blinking can often clear your fuzzy vision. However, if your oil glands get blocked, blinking becomes less effective, and the tears can dry out. The outcome is burning eyes that blinking can’t alleviate.
3. Eye contact with a foreign substance
We’re constantly touching our face and rubbing our eyes, which makes it easy to put your eyes in contact with a number of offensive substances, such as moisturizers, soap, sunscreen, chlorine, spices, and any residue on your fingers. Even your most expensive face wash or flecks of makeup can cause extreme eye irritation. If your eyes suddenly flare up in pain, pay attention to any new products you started using.
4. Blepharitis – eyelid inflammation
One symptom of blepharitis is a gritty sensation and/or burning eyes. This eyelid inflammation can make your eyelids red, crusty, and itchy. It can stem from a bacterial infection, an allergic reaction to makeup, or other health conditions such as rosacea.
5. Sunburnt eyes
You may not have known this, but your eyes can get a sunburn. Known as photokeratitis, sunburnt eyes occur due to overexposure to UV rays, usually from the sun. These dangerous rays can damage your cornea and conjunctiva, causing burning eyes and blurry vision (among other more serious symptoms).
6. Overuse of contact lenses
Wearing your contact lenses for too long can lead directly to eye pain, including stinging eyes and blurry vision that’s so bad you can’t read the page in front of you.
7. The common cold
Certain viruses, such as the common cold or the flu, can also lead to burning eyes.
8. Uveitis or orbital cellulitis
These serious sight-threatening conditions are uncommon, but burning eyes are one of the warning signs. That’s why it’s so important to visit our Cedar Park, Texas , eye doctor for a precise diagnosis of what’s causing your symptoms – so you can get treatment before any vision damage has occurred.
When to Call Your Cedar Park Optometrist
Contact your eye doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms along with burning or stinging eyes:
- Pain
- Excessive light sensitivity
- Oozing discharge from your eye
- Blurry vision
- Eye floaters or flashes of light
- Double vision
Also, if your burning eyes continue for more than a few days – even without any of the above symptoms, contact us at Lakeline Vision Source to book an urgent eye exam.
At Lakeline Vision Source, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 512-918-3937 or book an appointment online to see one of our Cedar Park eye doctors.
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