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Sometimes it’s easy to tell what’s causing the burning sensation in your eyes. However, burning eyes can have simple to complex causes. For example, your eyes might burn if you get chemicals in them, such as shampoo ingredients, chlorine from a swimming pool, or sunscreen. Other common irritants that can make your eyes burn include makeup, skin moisturizers, soap and cleaning products.

Burning eyes also can stem from environmental irritants like smog, smoke, dust, mold, pollen or pet dander. If you are allergic to any of these substances, they are even more likely to make your eyes burn. However, even “clean” air can cause your eyes to burn, especially when it’s particularly hot, cold or dry.

Another common cause of burning eyes is wearing contact lenses for long periods of time or sleeping in contact lenses.

How to get relief

If a household product gets in your eyes, you should immediately check the product label for specific instructions. In most cases, you will be able to rinse your eyes, ideally with a sterile saline solution, to alleviate the burning sensation.

If you are a person with allergies, your doctor may prescribe specific eye drops that can minimize the burning and itchiness you experience during allergy season. Applying a cool compress over your closed eyelids can also help soothe burning eyes for allergy related conditions.

Burning sensations brought on by dry eyes can usually be relieved by lubrication eye drops. If you plan on using artificial tears more than four times a day, it will be beneficial to look at preservative -free formulas.

If your burning eyes become painful, you experience an increase in light sensitivity, or if you have any discharge, an increase in blurred vision, or any other unexpected symptoms, contact your eye doctor for immediate attention.

Read more about burning eyes at https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/burning-eyes.htm