Key Takeaways
- Burning eyes can come from dry eye disease, screen strain, irritants, allergies, infection, or contact lens habits.
- Artificial tears, compresses, and a humidifier can help soothe mild burning at home.
- Thick, greenish discharge, eye pain, light sensitivity, or blurry vision are signs to book a visit.
- Burning that persists or worsens is worth a look from an optometrist.
- Prairie Vision has clinics in Wainwright and Vermilion for the whole family.
The furnace is running, the wind is whipping across the fields, and the kids are finishing homework on a tablet. By evening, your eyes sting like you’ve been chopping onions. Our team at Prairie Vision hears about burning eyes from parents, farmers, and shift workers all through the colder months.
Your eyes may burn because of dry eye disease, screen strain, smoke or chlorine, allergies, an infection, or contact lens habits, and many mild cases can ease with simple changes at home. If the sting keeps coming back, the dry eye services at our practice can help you find what’s behind it.
Common Reasons Your Eyes Burn
Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease happens when your eyes make too few tears, or your tears dry up fast. Screens, heated indoor air, and dry prairie weather can all make it worse.
You might notice these signs:
- Your eyes feel gritty or sandy.
- The whites of your eyes look red.
- Your eyes sting, especially later in the day.
Eye Strain from Screens
After a long shift at the computer or a night of scrolling, your eyes can feel tired and sore. Some people also get headaches or have trouble focusing.
Try the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s an easy habit to teach your kids during homework, too.
Smoke, Chlorine, and Other Irritants
Wildfire smoke, smog, pool chlorine, and cleaning products can all leave your eyes stinging. Goggles help when you swim or scrub the bathroom. If a chemical gets in your eyes, rinse with clean water right away for 10 to 15 minutes, then call our clinic or visit your nearest emergency department.
How Do You Tell Eye Allergies from an Infection?
Signs of Eye Allergies
Allergies tend to bring itchy, watery, burning eyes. Pollen, pet dander, and dust are common culprits, and flare-ups often show up after time outdoors on high-pollen days.
Signs of Pink Eye or Infection
Pink eye often looks red or bloodshot with extra tearing. Thick, greenish discharge may point to bacteria.
Pink eye spreads easily early on, so wash your hands often, especially with little ones at home.
Contact Lens Problems and Simple Fixes
Common Lens Mistakes
Contacts can start to burn when you wear them longer than recommended or sleep in lenses not made for overnight wear. Old solution, tap water, and poorly fitted lenses can also leave your eyes feeling raw.
Habits for Comfortable Wear
These habits can help your lenses feel comfortable:
- Wash your hands before you touch your lenses.
- Use fresh solution every day.
- Ask your optometrist about daily disposables if the burn continues.
Home Remedies to Soothe Eye Burn
Artificial Tears and Eye Drops
Artificial tears add moisture to dry, irritated eyes. Antihistamine drops can ease the itch and burn of allergies. Drops vary a lot, so ask your optometrist which ones suit your eyes.
Compresses and Humidifiers
A cool compress can calm scratchy eyes. A warm compress helps soften crusts along your eyelids.
During furnace season, a humidifier adds moisture back into dry indoor air.
Allergy Relief at Home
After time outside, rinse your eyes and wash your face. Keep windows closed on high-pollen days, and switch to HEPA air filters indoors.
When to See an Eye Doctor in Wainwright or Vermilion
Signs to Book a Visit
Book an appointment if you notice any of these signs:
- You see thick, greenish, or pus-like discharge.
- Your eye hurts or feels sensitive to light.
- Your vision turns blurry.
- Redness or burning persists or worsens.
What to Expect at Your Eye Exam
Your optometrist can ask when your symptoms started and which eye is affected. Next, your eye doctor looks at your eyelids, the surface of your eye, and your vision.
From there, you and your eye doctor can build a care plan to help your eyes feel comfortable again.
Book Your Visit with Prairie Vision
Whether you’re looking for an eye doctor in Wainwright or want to book in Vermilion, our Prairie Vision team welcomes families from Viking, Provost, Mannville, Kitscoty, Lloydminster, and Macklin, too. Book your appointment today, and give your eyes some relief.
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