Burning Eyes - The Main Causes And Treatments

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Burning eyes

Content:

• Causes of burning eyes
• Burning eyes treatment
• Prevention of burning eyes

A burning sensation, dryness, and cramps in the eyes is a fairly common symptom of a wide variety of ophthalmic diseases. If such sensations appear regularly or are generally permanent, then you need to urgently seek help from an ophthalmologist.

It is unacceptable to ignore these phenomena, treat them lightly or practice self-medication.

Causes of burning eyes

Burning eyes can be caused by several factors and can be a manifestation of various diseases:

• Infectious diseases. The etiology of infectious eye diseases can be any - bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic. Most often, a burning sensation indicates the presence of infectious conjunctivitis, blepharitis in the patient. Often, a burning sensation appears when a patient is ill with ARVI or influenza. Parasitic diseases include demodicosis - the reproduction of specific ticks on the eyelids. It is very easy to get infected - just hold onto the handrail in the subway or on the bus, which a sick person recently held onto, and then rub his eyes with dirty hands.
• Injuries. Mechanical damage to the eyes can be imperceptible - simple dust or small specks getting into the eye.

• Burn. Burn injury can be thermal (from contact with the eyes of steam or boiling water) or chemical (contact with the eyes of chemically active substances, such as detergent).

  

  In the event of microtraumas of the ocular surface (trauma during eyelash extensions, corneal trauma when putting on a contact lens, damaged lens, accumulation of protein deposits on the lens), which are accompanied only by the feeling that something has got into the eye, you should not neglect the treatment, since the lack of treatment microtrauma can lead to irritation and redness, which in turn can contribute to the development of complications (keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers), since damaged tissues are the gateway for infection.

  For the restoration of eye tissues, drugs with dexpanthenol, a substance with a regenerating effect, have proven themselves well. In particular, the eye gel "Korneregel" has a healing effect due to the maximum concentration of dexpanthenol 5%, and the carbomer included in its composition, due to the viscous texture, prolongs the contact of dexpanthenol with the ocular surface.

• Eye strain. This reason is very common in people whose profession involves the constant work on a computer. Despite the fact that modern monitors no longer require such eye strain as before, for many, even such constant intent "gazing" at the screen is excessive. Other such professions include constant work with a microscope, manipulation of small parts, and many others.
• Allergy. The manifestations of an allergic reaction to a substance are numerous and variable. Burning eyes can be one of the symptoms of allergies.

• Endocrine diseases. Some disorders of the endocrine system can be accompanied by redness of the eyelids, a burning sensation in the eyes, for example, in diseases of the thyroid gland.
• Dry eye syndrome. This syndrome is associated with dysfunction of the lacrimal glands, which are responsible for the constant hydration of the conjunctiva. It is manifested by a sensation of sand or litter in the eyes, a burning sensation.
• Incorrect refraction. Incorrectly prescribed glasses or contact lenses can lead to a burning sensation, sore eyes, redness of the eyelids.
• Eye diseases. Among other symptoms of various serious ophthalmic diseases, there may be a burning sensation.

Burning eyes treatment

Since the burning sensation in the eyes is not a disease itself, but only a symptom, a manifestation of other eye or general pathologies, the main treatment should be aimed at combating the main problem, and not so much at its manifestation. In any case, it is impossible to treat this symptom lightly and carelessly. It is necessary to contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible, who will check the eyes for foreign bodies, make a full diagnosis and prescribe specific treatment.

In the presence of infection, specific antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal or antiparasitic therapy is prescribed, both of general action (tablets, injections) and local in the form of eye drops. Glaucoma and cataracts require treatment of the underlying disease; it will be useless to fight the burning sensation if the disease continues to progress. To relieve inflammation, instilling a decoction of chamomile into the eyes helps a lot.

With dry eyes, artificial tear drops are prescribed. During the day, the eyes should be given periodic rest. To do this, it is enough to just sit with your eyes closed for a few minutes or go to the window and for some time just look into the distance, "beyond the horizon" without fixing your gaze on any particular object.

Improper refraction requires retesting of visual acuity and the use of different glasses or contact lenses. Allergies are treated with antihistamines and anti-allergic drugs.

For burns, softening drops, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs are prescribed to prevent the development of complications. Diseases of the thyroid gland require specific treatment from an endocrinologist, therapist.

To relieve itching, burning in the eyes, redness of the eyelids, you can use rinsing the eyes with decoctions of St. John's wort or oregano, daisy juice. With inflammation of the eyelids, infusions of blueberries or barberry are used.

A proven method that can be used for any eye disease is known for a long time - washing with tea. The method is universal, well-proven and completely harmless. You can take the pre-brewed bags and simply place them on your eyelids. Tea relieves irritation well, helps relieve inflammation, but is not curative. It simply helps to reduce the manifestations of the disease, but does not fight it.

On the subject: Vitamins for the eyes - which are the best?

Prevention of burning eyes

Preventive measures consist in a timely visit to an ophthalmologist at the slightest suspicion of the development of ophthalmic diseases. It is recommended to undergo a dispensary examination by an ophthalmologist annually, especially for people who already have any visual impairment.

To prevent infectious contamination, it is necessary to carefully observe the rules of hygiene; do not scratch or touch your eyes with unwashed hands.

If a foreign body gets into the eye, you need to ask someone to remove the speck from the eye with a cotton swab or the corner of a folded clean handkerchief. If it is not possible to find and remove the litter, you should immediately seek emergency ophthalmological help.

n

The author of the article: Degtyareva Marina Vitalievna, ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist