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A sharp prolonged pain in the eye is described as a burning sensation in the eyes. Sometimes, watering of the eyes may also accompany the burning sensation. The cause of burning eyes may be acute or a symptom of a chronic condition. If the cause of your burning eye is not due to any health-related conditions, then burning sensation in eyes can be treated with home remedies.

Causes

Burning sensation in the eyes is most often temporary and can be treated easily using home remedies. However, treating the burning pain in eyes depends on the cause of the condition. Given below are some of the common causes for burning eyes.

• Prolonged exposure to a computer or television screen
• Reading for long periods
• Lack of sleep
• Excessive exposure to sun
• Overuse of contact lenses
• Irritants such as sweat, dust, smoke, cosmetic products, and chemicals that enter the eye
• Dry eyes due to extreme temperatures
• Being tired
• Allergens such as pollen, dust and mold, pet dander, perfumes, incense, etc. that can irritate the eye
• Allergic reactions to food can also irritate the eye

There are medical conditions that also result in burning eyes. Some of the reasons include the following: conjunctivitis, opthalmia neonatorum, scleritis, blepharitis, sty, optic neuritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

Treatment

Treatment for burning eyes is based on the causes. If the cause is related to the environment of the individual, changing the environment, if possible, and providing more protection to the eyes are some solutions. Burning eyes caused by allergic reactions can be treated with proper medications and removing the allergen. However, if the condition is a symptom of some underlying illness, one should consult a physician immediately. When it is due to chemical irritants, medical help is important as the chemical can damage the eyes.

If the reasons for burning eyes are common causes, home remedies are enough to alleviate the burning sensation. Some of the home remedies for burning sensation in the eyes include the following:

• Close your eyelids and splash cold water over the eyes. Water brings immediate relief to the burning eyes
• Aloe vera is another great natural remedy for burning eyes. You can put a few drops of aloe vera juice into the eyes or you can use it as an eye wash. Dab the eyelids with a soft cloth soaked in aloe vera juice
• Carrot juice helps to keep eye infections at bay, as a carrot is rich in beta carotene that helps to fight infection
• Elderberry blossom tea cooled is an excellent soothing agent, and using it as an eye wash helps to reduce the burning sensation in eyes
• A honey and water combination is another effective eye wash to soothe burning eyes
• Rose water has a soothing effect. You can put a few drops of rose water in your eyes. Or, instead, you can place a cotton ball dabbed in rose water on your eyelids
• Placing cucumber slices on the burning eyes can relieve the burning sensation
• Bayberry bark, bilberry extract, red raspberry, and cayenne are other natural remedies for burning eyes
• Avoid rubbing your eyes as this might increase the burning sensation
• Do not stare at one thing for a long time, and blink your eyes more than normal
• One easy way to relax your eyes is to rub your hands together and then place them on the eyes

Diet Tips

Incorporating vegetables such as carrots, cauliflowers, spinach, raw cabbage, watercress, sunflower seeds, and squash in your diet helps to maintain healthy eyes. Avoid sugar and white flour as they tend to worsen eye problems.

Additional Tips

There are several effective home remedies that help you to alleviate burning sensation in the eyes. Here are some additional tips that can help.

• If the burning eyes are due to soap that gets into your eyes, flush it out using running water. Using warm water to flush out the soap helps to dislodge any particles stuck to the eyelids and eyelashes
• Mostly, your eyes burn due to dryness in the eyes. A warm wash cloth when applied over the eyelids helps to open the clogged oil hands and reduce dryness
• Always use sunglasses when going out
• Using a humidifier in the room keeps the air in the room as well as your eyes moisturized
• Taking regular breaks from work, especially when you are working on the computer can reduce the burning sensation
• Stay away from smoke and keep hair dryers far away from eyes

If the problem persists for a long time or worsens, it is important to consult an ophthalmologist as it may be a sign of something more serious. Neglecting your eyes could lead to more problems and complications.

References:

1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003034.htm
2. http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003034trt.htm