Why are my eyes dry and burning?

Eyes often feel dry and burning when the tear film evaporates faster than it’s replaced, as happens in dry, windy, heated or air-conditioned air or during long screen sessions. Something irritating getting into the eye can cause burning too. Quell’s label lists its Uses as: For use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye. Burning that comes with pain, vision changes or doesn’t settle is a reason to see a doctor.

Why do my eyes dry out and burn?

The surface of the eye is very sensitive, and it depends on a thin tear film to stay comfortable. That film has a mucus layer against the eye, a watery middle and an oil layer on top that slows evaporation. When the film thins or breaks up between blinks, nerve endings on the surface react, and people describe the feeling as burning, stinging, grittiness or a sense that something is in the eye.

Burning is a common way dryness feels, but it isn’t only about dryness. The label for Quell doesn’t use the word “burning” at all. Its Uses read: For use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye. So a lubricating drop fits burning that comes from a dry eye surface, and not burning from other causes.

Common everyday causes

• Dry indoor air from heating or air conditioning, especially with a vent blowing on your face.
• Wind, on a walk, a bike ride or with a car window down.
• Screens: people blink less while focused on a phone, tablet or monitor, so the tear film isn’t renewed as often.
• Smoke from a fireplace, campfire or grill.
• Low sleep, which leaves eyes tired and less comfortable the following morning.
• Pool water, sunscreen, soap, makeup or lotion getting into the eye.

Dry air, wind and altitude and Screens and your tear film cover the two most common causes in more depth.

Why are my eyes always dry and burning?

If the feeling is there most days, look at the patterns. Is it worse at the end of a workday at a computer, in a heated office, after driving with the heater on, or first thing in the morning? Those patterns point to the environment and habits you can change. Burning every day with no obvious pattern, or burning that keeps getting worse, is a reason to see an eye doctor rather than keep guessing.

The self-check asks about the situations where your eyes feel worst and can help you describe them clearly at an appointment. It is not a diagnosis.

Why are my eyes suddenly dry and burning?

A sudden change deserves more attention than a slow, familiar one. Think back over the last few hours: did anything get in your eye, did you rub it, did you start a new product near your eyes, or were you somewhere smoky or windy? If something splashed in, rinse with clean water. Then watch it. If burning comes with pain, a change in vision, sensitivity to light, or doesn’t ease after you’ve left the irritating situation, get medical advice promptly. Eye symptoms that need a doctor lists the signs not to wait on.

Why are my eyes dry and burning when I wake up?

During sleep there’s no blinking, and moisture can be lost to dry bedroom air or a fan. If the lids don’t close fully, the exposed part of the eye dries more. Dry eyes when sleeping with a fan on covers bedroom airflow. Morning burning that doesn’t fade once you’ve been up a while is worth mentioning to an eye doctor.

Do eye drops help with burning eyes?

A lubricating drop can help when burning comes from a dry eye surface. Quell is designed to reinforce the tear film’s oil layer to help reduce moisture loss, and its directions are: Apply 1 drop 3 times per day in each eye. Use it with clean hands and follow the label’s handling rule: Do not touch tip of bottle to any surface to avoid contamination.

Some people feel a brief sting when any drop first goes in, which is different from ongoing burning. Why do eye drops sting? covers that. If a drop itself seems to make burning worse, stop using it and ask a pharmacist or eye doctor.

When burning means stop and see a doctor

The label is specific about when to stop: Stop use and ask a doctor if you feel eye pain or changes in your vision, if irritation or redness continues, or if the condition worsens or persists for 72 hours. Don’t keep adding drops to push through those signs. Also skip self-care and get help quickly for a chemical splash, an injury to the eye, or sudden vision changes.

Quell’s label doesn’t give directions for contact lens wearers, children, or use alongside other eye drops. If any of those apply, ask your eye doctor or pharmacist before using it.

Simple changes that ease dry, burning eyes

• Turn heater and car vents away from your face.
• Run a humidifier where you sleep and work.
• Take regular screen breaks and blink fully.
• Wear wraparound sunglasses outside in wind.
• Keep soaps, lotions and sunscreen away from the eye area.