What Does It Mean If Your Tears Burn?

Burning tears describe an irritation or stinging sensation in one or both eyes, sometimes accompanied by redness. Tears maintain eye health and clear vision. They lubricate the eye’s surface, provide nutrients to the cornea, and help flush away dust and debris. This constant tear production is essential for eye comfort.

Reasons Your Tears Might Burn

Burning tears often stem from issues with the tear film. When the eyes do not produce enough tears, or if tears evaporate too quickly, dry eye syndrome can result, leading to a burning or stinging sensation. Environmental factors also frequently contribute to this discomfort, including exposure to smoke, dust, pollen, and various chemicals found in household products or cosmetics. Air pollution, with its airborne particles and chemical pollutants, can particularly irritate the eyes and exacerbate dryness.

Beyond environmental factors, eye strain from prolonged screen use can reduce blinking frequency, causing tears to evaporate faster and leading to burning and irritation. Mild infections or inflammations of the eye structures can also manifest with burning. For instance, blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid edges, commonly causes burning along with crusting around the eye. Similarly, conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” which involves inflammation of the eye’s surface, can be triggered by allergens, viruses, or bacteria, resulting in a burning sensation. Even mild sunburn of the eyes, known as photokeratitis, can occur from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and lead to burning.

Other Symptoms to Note

When tears burn, additional symptoms often appear. Many individuals experience redness in the white of the eye, indicating irritation or inflammation. An itching sensation frequently accompanies the burning, particularly if allergies are involved. Excessive watering, despite the burning, can occur as the eyes attempt to compensate for dryness or flush out irritants.

Some people report temporary blurry vision, which may clear with blinking, or an increased sensitivity to light. A gritty sensation, as if something is in the eye, is another common complaint. In certain conditions like blepharitis or some infections, crusting around the eyelids or eyelashes may be present upon waking. Swelling of the eyelids can also develop, especially with allergic reactions or inflammation.

When to Consult a Doctor

While burning tears can be a temporary annoyance, certain signs suggest professional medical evaluation. If the burning sensation persists for more than a few days or worsens over time, seek an eye care provider’s opinion. Severe eye pain accompanying the burning warrants immediate attention, as does any significant change in vision, such as sudden blurriness or vision loss. The presence of pus-like discharge from the eye, rather than clear tears, can indicate a bacterial infection.

A sensation that a foreign object is constantly in the eye, especially if it cannot be flushed out, signals a need for a doctor’s visit. If home remedies do not provide relief, or if symptoms recur frequently, a healthcare provider can help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Additionally, if burning eyes are accompanied by other systemic symptoms like fever, headache, or a rash on the face or body, medical consultation is recommended.

Relief and Prevention Strategies

Managing and preventing burning tears involves simple strategies to maintain eye comfort and protect them from irritants. Over-the-counter artificial tears can provide relief by lubricating the eye surface. Using preservative-free artificial tears is recommended for frequent use to avoid irritation from preservatives. Avoiding known irritants, such as cigarette smoke, strong fumes from cleaning products, or specific allergens, helps reduce exposure.

Practicing good eye hygiene, such as gently cleaning eyelids with a diluted baby shampoo solution, can help manage conditions like blepharitis. Taking regular breaks from digital screens is important, as reduced blinking during screen time can lead to tear evaporation and discomfort. The “20-20-20 rule” suggests that every 20 minutes, one should look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Ensuring adequate hydration by drinking sufficient water contributes to overall eye health and tear production. Using a humidifier can add moisture to the air and help prevent tears from evaporating. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection outdoors can also shield eyes from wind, dust, and harmful ultraviolet rays.