Mr Amit Chatterjee is a resident of Siliguri and an avid fan of online games. Last month, he began experiencing a stinging sensation in the eyes that lasted for 2-3 days. He did what most of try to do in such a situation – reduced his screen time, rinsed his eyes with lukewarm water, and try to see if some irritant was stuck in his eyes but to no avail. When he did not get relief , he thought of consulting an eye specialist. Upon consulting an eye specialist in Siliguri, he learnt that he has been suffering from dry eye syndrome, which is quite common among computer users.
The eye specialist told him that when people spend too much time looking at digital screens, they tend to blink less. When people blink less, the tears in the eyes have more time to evaporate, resulting in dryness which causes a burning sensation.
Many people experience a burning sensation in their eyes and there can be several possible causes, ranging from dry eye syndrome to eye infections.
Over here we discuss some common eye problems that can cause burning eyes:
- Blepharitis: One of the common causes of burning eyes can be blepharitis. It is an inflammation of the eyelids that causes a stinging sensation in the eyes. Along with that, the eyes also get red and watery. The eyelids may also swell and be itchy. Usually, it occurs in both eyes at the same time. It happens when the oil glands near the base of the eyelashes are clogged. It doesn’t cause damage to your eyesight and can be controlled with eye drops and antibiotics, more info can be found on https://neurofitnessfoundation.org/amoxil-treat-infections/.
- Dry eye syndrome: As we talked about it earlier, dry eye syndrome is a condition when the eyes do not produce enough tears. Along with burning sensation, dry eyes syndrome also causes itchiness in the eyes. If you have dry eye syndrome, your eyes may feel fatigued and heavy. Even though ageing is most contributing reason for dry eye, other reasons such as lifestyle, excessive screen time, geography and occupation can also contribute to this. It is one of the most common eye problems among adults today. A study published in The Ocular Surface has predicted that the disease will be prevalent in nearly 40% of if India’s urban population by 2030.
- Eye allergies: Smog, smoke, pet dander, pollen, wearing contact lenses for long periods, shampoo ingredients, chlorine from swimming pool, eye makeup, skin moisturisers, etc, can cause your eyes to burn. These are some of the common eye irritants that cause burning eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis can also lead to burning in the eyes. To alleviate the discomfort, you must first safely rinse your eyes. If your burning eyes are accompanied by pain or vision problems, you should right away consult an eye specialist.
- Ocular Rosacea: Along with burning sensation, ocular rosacea causes redness, and itching on the eyes. It usually happens to people who have rosacea, a skin condition that affects the face. Though there’s no cure for ocular rosacea, its symptoms can be managed with medication and eye care. The eye symptoms and skin symptoms can appear simultaneously.
- Pterygium: A Pterygium is a condition that is characterised by the growth of the conjunctiva, the white portion of the eyes. The exact cause of Pterygium is not known. Usually, it doesn’t cause any symptoms but in some cases, it can cause eye irritation and stinging sensation. Though it may not require any treatment, if it interferes with your vision then an eye specialist needs to be consulted at the earliest.
You may experience a stinging sensation in your eyes at some point in your life. There can be varied reasons for it. To seek appropriate eye treatment, it’s best to identify the underlying cause. Our neglect and ignorance can lead to aggravation of the problem, which could’ve been treated easily at an earlier stage. If you are experiencing burning eyes, you should see an eye specialist as soon as possible.