Dryness and burning sensation in eyes

Vision is a precious sense that we are gifted with. Most people get immediately anxious if they feel that there’s anything wrong with their eyes. Foreign body sensation in the eye is one of the common complains that alerts people and brings them to the doctor. In a large number of cases though, no foreign body is found on examination. Generally in these cases the sensation is because of loss of moisture in the eye or inadequate production of tears leading to dryness in the eye. The eye has a burning sensation and appears red.

Environmental factors are the most common causes for dry eyes and burning of the eye. For example:

• Infrequent or incomplete blinking mostly seen in people who watch movies frequently and work on computers or play video games for long hours
• Hot and dry climate
• Irritants, such as cigarette smoke, dust or chemical exposure
• Any trauma to the eye (including burns)

 There are some other known reasons as well:

• Ageing slows the tear production and makes the eye dry.
• Some medical conditions, such as dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis, Sjogren’s syndrome and Blepharitis cause dry eyes.
• Certain drugs including oral contraceptives, antidepressants, antihistamines, diuretics and beta-blockers are known to cause dryness in the eyes.
• Some procedures like laser surgery, cataract surgery and use of contact lenses are known to cause dryness of the cornea.
• Allergy due to pollen, dust, mold, fragrances from burning incense, perfumes.
• Menopause is a physiological condition in women known to cause dry and gritty sensation in the eyes.

A dry and burning sensation in eyes is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as redness, itching and discharge. These can further lead to pain and inflammation of the eye.

The most important part of the treatment in such cases is to aim for better tear production, maintain tear film volume or prevent excess loss of tears. This would help the eye recover from the symptoms faster. However the underlying cause has to be immediately addressed to prevent recurrence of symptoms. Identifying the underlying factors and offering personalized measures to reduce the dryness will protect the eyes.  In case of computer and other gadget users, conscious effort to blink more often has to be ascertained. It is also good to supplement with artificial tears. Using eye drops, gels or ointments to lubricate the eye may be needed for users who do not benefit with lifestyle modifications.

Some common measures that are likely to benefit for dry eye sufferers are:

• Boost the humidity of the air at home and at work by placing bowls of water around the room
• Applying cold packs over the eye relieves the burning sensation.
• Contact lens users have to be careful about its hygiene and removing the lens before sleep.
• Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses, goggles, face masks, and other eyewear that help reduce light sensitivity and risk of injury.
• If a medication is causing dry eyes, discuss with your doctor about alternatives.
• Eat a well balanced diet rich in Vitamin A.
• Get a regular eye check up to look for common eye conditions and disorders.