Burning Eyes? 3 Common Causes and Fast-Acting Home Remedies

If you’re grappling with eye irritation, stinging or blurry vision, the good news is that the most prominent triggers are relatively harmless, and mild aggravation is manageable with the right remedies. Here, experts explain what can cause a burning feeling in your eyes and share their most soothing tips. 

Why do my eyes burn? 3 common causes

According to experts, these everyday culprits can lead to burning eyes, but in most cases, you can relieve burning with a few simple eye care remedies: 

Dry eyes 

Dryness is the leading cause of burning in the eyes, says Meenal Agarwal, MD. “When your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears, the surface of your eyes becomes dry and irritated,” she explains, resulting in chronic dry eye syndrome. “This lack of moisture can lead to burning, discomfort, redness and/or watery eyes.”

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Environmental factors such as excessively staring at screens, low humidity and wind exposure can exacerbate this eye condition, notes Catherine Heyman, OD, Founding Dean of the School of Optometry at High Point University.

How to lubricate dry eyes:

Doctors recommend using preservative-free lubricating eye drops or artificial tears to moisturize dry eyes. And since prolonged screen time can contribute to dryness, taking breaks is also important. Dr. Heyman suggests following the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You can also be intentional about blinking more frequently, adds Dr. Agarwal. 

For added relief, try using a humidifier in dry environments to help prevent tear evaporation, says Dr. Heyman. She also advises using warm compresses to unclog the meibomian glands (oil glands along the edge of the eyelids) and improve tear quality. 

“Follow the warm compress with gentle massage, down on the upper lids and up on the lower lids to express [lubricating] meibum into the eye,” she explains. 

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Allergies 

Common allergens like pollen, pet dander or dust can trigger an immune response in the eyes, leading to inflammation, says Dr. Agarwal. As your body releases compounds called histamines, it can cause redness, itching and a burning sensation in your eyes. 

How to tame inflammation:

If allergies are making your eyes burn, try using antihistamine eye drops (like ketotifen or olopatadine) to control allergic inflammation, offers Dr. Heyman. 

Also smart? Applying a cool compress to reduce eye swelling and irritation as needed.

Eye irritants

Exposure to environmental chemicals such as chlorine, pollutants in the air or even preservatives in some eye drops can lead to a stinging or burning sensation, explains Dr. Heyman. 

“Household cleaning products, makeup and even the fumes from cooking can also irritate the eyes,” she adds. “These substances can disrupt the tear film, inflame the ocular surface and trigger discomfort.”

How to wash away irritants:

If you suspect your eyes are burning due to environmental irritants, Dr. Heyman suggests rinsing your eyes with sterile saline or artificial tears as quickly as possible after exposure. 

Skip these habits

While these steps can help you find relief, it’s equally important to be aware of habits that may worsen burning eyes, says Dr. Agarwal. She recommends trying to avoid:

• Rubbing your eyes, which can spread bacteria, increase irritation and even cause a corneal condition called keratoconus
• Using expired or shared eye drops, which can introduce infections
• Using preserved drops, as the preservatives can worsen dry eye symptoms
• Exposure to harsh chemicals, strong fumes or smoky environments, as it can further inflame your eyes 
• Continuing to use products that may trigger eye irritation

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When to see a doctor for burning eyes 

While most cases of burning eyes aren’t a major cause for concern, you shouldn’t ignore ongoing discomfort that is not relieved by home remedies, cautions Dr. Agarwal. 

If you don’t experience relief within one to two weeks or your symptoms are worsening, visit your eye doctor to see if you need prescribed treatments, she says. 

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You should also seek medication attention if burning is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, vision changes, light sensitivity or discharge, as these could signal an infection, corneal irritation or a more serious ocular condition, adds Dr. Heyman. 

Other less common causes of burning eyes include anything from the highly contagious pink eye—conjunctivitis—to ocular rosacea and regularly wearing contact lenses. 

Finally, Dr. Agarwal advises that if you were recently exposed to a chemical or foreign body and the burning is due to an irritant that may have caused corneal damage, visit your doctor right away.