Key Takeaways
- Watery eyes can still be dry eyes.
- Dry eye, pink eye, and blepharitis are common reasons why eyes burn and water.
- Pollen, smoke, dry air, screen time, and contact lens habits can add to irritation.
- Compresses, lubricant drops, water, and screen breaks may ease mild symptoms in a day or 2.
- Eye pain, vision changes, discharge, or symptoms that last more than 2 days all call for an eye exam.
Burning & Watering at the Same Time
You blink, and your eyes sting. Then they flood with tears, and you’re dabbing your face with a tissue while trying to read your phone. But wet eyes shouldn’t burn—should they?
While it may be surprising, this isn’t an unusual situation. While there’s no one cure for burning, watery eyes, an eye exam with Advanced Vision Wellness Center can pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and help you find relief. In many cases, mild irritation can be resolved at home with compresses, lubricant drops, and better daily habits.
Why Your Eyes Burn and Water at the Same Time
Watery eyes can still be dry eyes. For example, a flush of tears works to wash away small irritants, so a gust of dusty wind or a stray eyelash might sting for a moment and then settle down on its own.
If your eyes are constantly burning, however, that warrants a trip to see your optometrist.
Common Reasons for Burning, Watery Eyes
Eye Conditions
A few different conditions can cause these symptoms. They include:
- Dry eye, which is perhaps the most common reason.
- Pink eye, which is contagious and often watery.
- Blepharitis, which brings sore lids and crusty lashes.
Everyday Irritants
Your surroundings play a big role in the comfort of your eyes, especially during pollen-heavy stretches of the year in southern Oregon. All of the following can contribute to burning and watery eyes:
- Pollen, pet dander, and mold.
- Cleaners, fragrances, and makeup.
- Wind, smoke, dry air, and long hours of screen time.
Contact Lens Habits
If you wear contacts, your lenses might be contributing to your discomfort. A poor fit or a damaged lens can rub against the surface of your eye. Some people react to their cleaning solution.
If your contacts are the source of your problem, a contact lens fitting can help you find lenses that are more comfortable to wear.
Symptoms to Watch For
Burning is rarely the only symptom you’ll experience. You may also notice:
- Itching, redness, and swollen lids.
- Light sensitivity, blurry vision, or discharge.
- A headache showing up alongside the burning.
Jotting down when symptoms start and what you were doing helps more than you’d think. Maybe it’s worse after mowing the lawn, or by the end of a school night spent on homework. Once you identify the cause of your discomfort, you can start to work around it.
At-Home Relief for Burning Watery Eyes
Simple Steps to Try Today
The following are all simple habits that may help resolve your symptoms:
- Rest a cool or warm compress over your closed eyes.
- Use lubricant drops from the drugstore.
- Flush irritants out with clean, warm water.
- Drink water throughout the day.
- Take breaks from screens.
- Wear sunglasses outside and put on goggles or protective glasses before you do yard work.
Whatever you do, make sure that you don’t rub your eyes. This can spread irritants around and ultimately makes your vision less comfortable.
How Long Relief Usually Takes
Mild irritation often settles down in 1–2 days. If your eyes are still burning after that, something else is likely going on, and guessing at eye drops won’t sort it out.
When to See an Optometrist in Medford, Oregon
Some symptoms need immediate attention. You should book a visit with your eye doctor if you notice:
- Eye pain, vision changes, or double vision.
- Fever, swelling, or discharge.
- Symptoms lasting more than two days.
What Happens at Your Eye Exam
An eye doctor in Medford starts by reviewing your symptom history, including how long the burning has lasted and what seems to set it off. From there comes a look at your lids, pupils, and vision.
Depending on what our assessment turns up, treatment options may include drops, ointments, or dry eye treatment.
Comfortable Eyes, Fewer Tissues
Burning, watery eyes can pull your focus away from work, school, and the parts of your day you actually enjoy. But you don’t have to keep blinking through it.
Book an eye exam with our team at Advanced Vision Wellness Center in Medford and find out what’s behind that burning sensation.
