Burning eyes: what can be and what to do

The burning in the eyes, in most cases, is not a sign of any serious problem, being a common symptom of allergy or exposure to smoke, for example. However, this symptom can also be linked to more serious situations, such as conjunctivitis or vision problems, which need to be identified and treated appropriately.

Thus, it is necessary to take into account other symptoms that are present such as swollen eyes, watery eyes, itching or irritation in the eyes and when these symptoms appeared to inform the doctor, in order to arrive at the diagnosis faster.

Some of the common causes of burning eyes are:

1. Exposure to dust, wind or smoke

A very common cause of burning eyes is that the person is exposed to dust, wind or in contact with smoke from a barbecue or cigarette, for example. These situations end up drying the eyes, causing the sensation of burning and redness. This also helps to clean the surface of any irritating agents that may be causing this discomfort.

What to do: dripping 2 to 3 drops of saline into each eye can be a good way to improve eye dryness and fight burning. Washing your face with cold water also helps a lot. See an excellent home remedy for burning eyes, which can be used in these situations.

2. Vision problems

Vision problems such as myopia, astigmatism or presbyopia can also be the cause of the burning sensation in the eyes, but other symptoms must also be present such as blurred vision, headache, blurred vision or difficulty reading small print in a newspaper, for example.

What to do: it is advisable to go to a consultation with an ophthalmologist to carry out tests that can confirm changes in vision, and perform the treatment that can be done with the use of glasses or eye drops.

3. Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome mainly affects people who need to work long hours in front of the computer, which ends up decreasing the frequency with which they blink which makes the eye drier than it should.

Another possibility is dry weather, because when there is low humidity, the eyes become more sensitive and there is a feeling of sand in the eyes and even difficulty reading at night.

What to do: in addition to it's important to blink your eyes more often when you're at the computer, it can also help drip saline or some eye drops, to hydrate and keep your eyes moist. Learn all about dry eye syndrome.

4. Dengue

In certain cases, dengue can cause burning in the eyes, although the most common is the appearance of pain, especially in the back of the eyes. If dengue is suspected, other symptoms that should be present include pain throughout the body, tiredness and lack of energy. Check out all the symptoms of dengue.

What to do: if there is a strong suspicion of dengue it is important to go to the doctor to confirm the diagnosis, in addition to drinking plenty of water and resting as much as you can for the body to recover faster.

5. Sinusitis

Sinusitis, which is inflammation of the sinuses, can also cause burning in the eyes and nose, in addition to runny nose as well as headache, sneezing and difficulty breathing.

What to do: in this case it is important to see a general practitioner to confirm the diagnosis, as in some cases, it may be necessary to take antibiotics to fight inflammation. See the remedies that can be used against sinusitis.

6. Allergic conjunctivitis

In allergic conjunctivitis, redness and pain in the eyes may be accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling and a feeling of sand in the eyes. It can be caused by pollen, animal hair or dust. It usually affects people susceptible to allergies such as rhinitis or bronchitis.

What to do: placing cold compresses on the eyes can help to reduce discomfort, another good tip is to wash your eyes regularly with saline, in order to eliminate secretions. See the remedies indicated for conjunctivitis.

When to go to the doctor

An ophthalmologist or general practitioner should be consulted whenever signs and symptoms appear, such as:

• Intense itching in the eyes; Burning in the eyes, making it difficult to keep the eyes open; Difficulty in seeing; Blurred or blurred vision; Constant tearing; Lots of eye irritation.

These symptoms can indicate more serious conditions, such as infections, that may need more specific medications prescribed by a doctor.