A stinging, burning, or pricking sensation in one or both eyes may occur, sometimes with dryness, a gritty feeling, itching, tearing, or blurred vision. According to Health, many causes of these symptoms originate from the eye's surface, eyelids, or environmental factors.

Dry eyes

This is one of the common reasons for burning, stinging eyes. Dry eyes happen when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly, leaving the eye surface inadequately lubricated.

Individuals may experience dry, burning, or gritty sensations, redness, tearing, or blurred vision. Prolonged screen time can reduce blinking frequency, causing tears to evaporate faster and worsening dry eye symptoms.

Windy, smoky, or dry environments, as well as air conditioning use, can also increase eye discomfort.

Blepharitis

If burning, stinging eyes are accompanied by itching, redness, eyelid swelling, or crusting at the base of the eyelashes upon waking, blepharitis may be the cause.

This condition occurs when the eyelid margins become inflamed, often due to bacterial accumulation at the lash base or blocked oil glands in the eyelids. Blepharitis can cause burning, stinging, tearing, light sensitivity, and dry eyes; severe cases can affect the cornea.

Burning, stinging eyes can stem from various causes such as dryness, allergies, or blepharitis. *Illustration: AI*

Eye allergies

Burning, stinging eyes with severe itching, redness, and tearing, especially after exposure to dust, pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, may indicate allergic conjunctivitis. Upon allergen exposure, the body releases histamine, leading to itching, redness, burning, stinging, and tearing. Those with eye allergies might also experience sneezing, a runny nose, or other allergy symptoms.

Itching is often a prominent symptom of eye allergies, so if the burning sensation is primarily accompanied by itching and affects both eyes, this cause should be considered.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis can also cause burning, stinging, redness, tearing, or discharge from the eyes. This condition can result from viruses, bacteria, or allergies.

If the eyes have yellow, white, or green discharge, crusting upon waking, and noticeable redness, individuals should seek medical attention to determine the cause. Infectious conjunctivitis can also spread.

Environmental or chemical irritation

Tobacco smoke, dust, chlorinated pool water, cosmetics, cleaning products, or airborne irritants can irritate the eye surface, causing burning, stinging, redness, and tearing. Wearing contact lenses for too long or improper lens hygiene can also be a factor.

If chemicals splash directly into the eye, this is not typical irritation. Chemical eye injury is an ophthalmic emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Excessive UV exposure

According to Medical News Today, too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight can cause corneal burns, also known as photokeratitis. This condition leads to burning, stinging eyes, pain, light sensitivity, tearing, a foreign body sensation, halos around light sources, or headaches.

Mild burning, stinging eyes, appearing after prolonged screen time or exposure to smoke and dust, can improve by removing the irritant, resting the eyes, and using appropriate artificial tears. However, an eye examination is advisable if symptoms persist, recur, or do not improve with common self-care measures.

Bao Bao (Synthesized)