Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Eye burning - itching and discharge

Itching - burning eyes; Burning eyes

 

Eye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears.

Causes

 

Causes may include:

  • Allergies , including seasonal allergies or hay fever
  • Infections, bacterial or viral ( conjunctivitis or pink eye)
  • Chemical irritants (such as chlorine in a swimming pool or makeup)
  • Dry eyes
  • Irritants in the air (cigarette smoke or smog)

 

Home Care

 

Apply cool compresses to soothe itching.

Apply warm compress to soften crusts if they have formed. Washing the eyelids with baby shampoo on a cotton applicator can also help remove crusts.

Using artificial tears 4 to 6 times a day can be helpful for almost all causes of burning and irritation, especially dry eyes.

If you have allergies, try to avoid the cause (pets, grasses, cosmetics) as much as possible. Your health care provider may give you antihistamine eye drops to help with allergies.

Pink eye or viral conjunctivitis causes a red or bloodshot eye and excessive tearing. It may be highly contagious for the first few days. The infection will run its course in about 10 days. If you suspect pink eye:

  • Wash your hands often
  • Avoid touching the unaffected eye

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Contact your provider if:

  • The discharge is thick, greenish, or resembles pus. (This may be from bacterial conjunctivitis.)
  • You have excessive eye pain or sensitivity to light.
  • Your vision is decreased.
  • You have increased swelling in the eyelids.

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

Your provider will get a medical history and will perform a physical exam .

Questions you may be asked include:

  • What does the eye drainage look like?
  • When did the problem start?
  • Is it in one eye or both eyes?
  • Is your vision affected?
  • Are you sensitive to light?
  • Does anyone else at home or work have a similar problem?
  • Do you have any new pets, linens, or carpets, or are you using different laundry soap?
  • Do you also have a head cold or sore throat?
  • What treatments have you tried so far?

The physical exam may include a check of your:

  • Cornea
  • Conjunctiva
  • Eyelids
  • Eye motion
  • Pupils reaction to light
  • Vision

Depending on the cause of the problem, your provider may recommend treatments such as:

  • Lubricating eye drops for dry eyes
  • Antihistamine eye drops for allergies
  • Antiviral drops or ointments for certain viral infections such as herpes
  • Antibiotic eye drops for bacterial conjunctivitis

Follow your provider's instructions exactly. With treatment, you should gradually improve. You should be back to normal in 1 to 2 weeks unless the problem is a chronic one like dry eyes.

 

 

References

Bhatt U, Lagnado R, Dua HS. Follicular conjunctivitis. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology . 2013 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 4;chap0 7.

Rubenstein JB, Tannan A. Allergic conjunctivitis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 4.7.

Rubenstein JB, Tannan A. Conjunctivitis: infectious and noninfectious. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 4.6.

Snyder RW, Slade DS. Antibiotic therapy for ocular infection. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology . 2013 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 4;chap 26.

Wright JL, Wightman JM. Red and painful eye. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 22.

Yanoff M, Cameron D. Diseases of the visual system In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 423.

 
  • External and internal eye anatomy - illustration

    The cornea allows light to enter the eye. As light passes through the eye the iris changes shape by expanding and letting more light through or constricting and letting less light through to change pupil size. The lens then changes shape to allow the accurate focusing of light on the retina. Light excites photoreceptors that eventually, through a chemical process, transmit nerve signals through the optic nerve to the brain. The brain processes these nerve impulses into sight.

    External and internal eye anatomy

    illustration

    • External and internal eye anatomy - illustration

      The cornea allows light to enter the eye. As light passes through the eye the iris changes shape by expanding and letting more light through or constricting and letting less light through to change pupil size. The lens then changes shape to allow the accurate focusing of light on the retina. Light excites photoreceptors that eventually, through a chemical process, transmit nerve signals through the optic nerve to the brain. The brain processes these nerve impulses into sight.

      External and internal eye anatomy

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       

        Tests for Eye burning - itching and discharge

         

           

          Review Date: 11/4/2015

          Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

          The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

           
           
           

           

           

          A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



          Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.