Do your eyes sting and burn? Your Elmhurst, IL optometrists at Skowron Eye Care explain what you should do when the problem occurs.
 

What causes stinging eyes?

Your eyes can sting and burn due to a variety of reasons, including:

• Allergies and irritants: Both indoor and outdoor allergens can make your eyes sting. Irritants, such as strong chemicals, smog and dust, can also cause the problem.

• Migrating makeup and sunscreen: No matter how carefully you apply makeup or sunscreen on your face, it may find its way into your eyes, causing a very unpleasant stinging sensation.

• Infections: Viral and bacterial infections can cause redness, stinging, tearing and other symptoms.

• Dry eyes: Burning and stinging is common if you have dry eye. Your risk for the condition increases as you age, but it can also be caused by smoking, taking certain prescription medications, wearing contact lenses, or by diabetes, lupus and other diseases and conditions.

• Eye diseases: Eye diseases like uveitis can cause stinging and burning. If you have uveitis, you may experience redness, pain, blurred vision, floaters and sensitivity to light. Call your Elmhurst optometrist right away if you notice these symptoms.
   

How can I stop the stinging?

Treatment for stinging eyes depends on the cause. If sunscreen or another substance got in your eye, you may need to rinse your eye to stop the stinging. Look on the package label before you rinse to make sure that it's the best solution. Your optometrist can prescribe special eye drops that reduce stinging caused by allergies. Over-the-counter artificial tears can often help dry eyes feel better. If the problem persists, your eye doctor can offer other options.

Viral infections usually clear up on their own, but your optometrist will prescribe antibacterial eye drops or ointment if you have a bacterial infection. Uveitis can be treated with immunosuppressive pills, steroids or surgery, in some cases.

If home treatment doesn't help your eyes feel better, it's time to make an appointment with the optometrists at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL. Call (630) 834-6244 to schedule your eye care appointment.