Why Your Eyes Are Burning: Doctors Reveal the Causes and Solutions

If your eyes feel irritated, dry, or experience a burning sensation, you're not alone. Eye specialists are seeing a noticeable rise in cases of people reporting these symptoms. But what is the real cause of the burning feeling in your eyes? Doctors reveal the answers.

According to Dr. Yogesh Chougule, an ophthalmologist at NIO Super Specialty Hospital, burning eyes have become a prominent symptom in recent years, largely due to digital strain. Our increasing dependence on screens, whether it's computers, smartphones, or tablets, is making us blink less. “Excessive screen usage reduces our natural blink rate, which in turn affects the tear film on the surface of the eyes. This leads to tear film instability and dry eyes,” Dr. Chougule explained.

Blinking less means that the eyes don’t get the lubrication they need, resulting in dryness, irritation, and eventually a burning sensation. This condition, commonly referred to as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome, is becoming more common across age groups. Digital eye syndrome pertains to a collection of eye illnesses related to screen time, causing headaches, eye discomfort, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.

But screens aren’t the only culprit. The air we breathe in cities is also affecting our eyes. “Air pollution has increased in urban cities in the past few years. Particulate matter and toxic gases cause irritation to the ocular surface,” Dr. Chougule said. Fine dust particles like PM2.5, chemicals, and allergens in the air can damage the eye’s surface over time.

Prolonged exposure to air conditioning indoors also causes dryness, while hot outdoor temperatures lead to tear film evaporation. Working long hours in these conditions often leaves the eyes feeling sore and tired.

While some discomfort is mild and temporary, certain symptoms need to be handled by a medical professional. “Mild irritation can usually be relieved with lubricating eye drops,” said Dr. Jai Kelkar, another ophthalmologist at NIO Super Specialty Hospital. “However, constant discomfort, blurred vision, redness that doesn’t improve, pain, or light sensitivity are signs that you should see an eye care professional.”

Dr. Kelkar warned against overusing over-the-counter eye medications. “When you take medicines without being prescribed, they can mask underlying issues, and when the effect wears off, the problem can rebound and even worsen the previous eye condition,” he said.

To prevent or manage these symptoms, Dr. Kelkar recommends following a few simple habits:

• Practice the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• Use protective eyewear in polluted or windy conditions.
• Maintain indoor humidity using a humidifier, especially if you’re in an air-conditioned room for long periods.
• Stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and blink more consciously when using screens.
• Use preservative-free artificial tears if you're unable to reduce screen or AC exposure.
• Get annual eye check-ups to detect dry eye conditions and prevent long-term damage.

With changing lifestyles and environmental conditions, burning and irritated eyes are becoming increasingly common. But by taking proactive steps, the discomfort can be managed and serious issues can be avoided. “It’s important not to ignore what your eyes are telling you,” said Dr. Kelkar. “Eye health is closely tied to overall well-being.”