Dry, Stinging, Burning Eyes

Dry eye is a syndrome in which the eye's ability to produce tears breaks down. Tears play an important role in moistening, protecting, and cleansing the eye. They are necessary for good corneal health. They also support contact lenses.

When tear production is affected, you may experience a range of symptoms, including:

• Irritation
• Stinging or burning
• Foreign-body sensation
• Grittiness
• Redness
• Photophobia
• Decreased clarity of vision

The symptoms worsen as the day progresses and they are exacerbated under dry conditions.

The natural tears that your eyes produce are composed of three layers:

• The outer oily layer, which prevents or slows evaporation of the tear film
• The middle watery layer, which moisturizes and nourishes the front surface of the eye
• The inner mucus layer, which helps maintain a stable tear film

Dry eye may occur because the amount of tears produced is inadequate. Or it may result because the composition of the tears has changed, and so they are unstable and evaporate more quickly.

Dry eye is a common syndrome, and the risk increases with age. Exposure to environmental conditions can typically spur temporary dry-eye symptoms. The following situations may all contribute to temporary dry eye symptoms:

• Viewing a computer screen, because people tend to blink less
• Being exposed to an indoor heating system, which tends to dry the air
• Skiing, due to dryer air and wind
• Traveling on airplanes, due to dry re-circulated air
• Using some medications, such as antihistamines, oral contraceptives, or antidepressants
• Sustaining chemical or thermal burns to the eye

Dry eye may also be symptomatic of general health problems.

Excessive dryness can damage eye tissue and possibly scar the cornea of your eye, impairing vision. Dry eye can also make it more difficult to wear contact lenses because tears may be inadequate to keep the lenses wet and lubricated. This can lead to irritation and a greater chance of eye infection.