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Are Burning Eyes Keeping You Up at Night?

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Burning may be the only eye symptom that’s stopping you from sleeping, or you may also suffer from pain, tearing, discharge, and itching. Either way, these uncomfortable sensations could indicate that you have dry eyes. While dry eyes aren’t dangerous, they can be very painful and get in the way of enjoying both your daytime activities and your restful night’s sleep. To get a clear diagnosis and treatment for dry eye syndrome, visit Dr. Vakani, our Toronto, Ontario , eye doctor for a personalized eye exam at Corktown Eyecare.

What causes dry eyes?

Often, environmental conditions lead to dry eyes – such as a high pollen count, an arid desert climate, freezing cold air, or strong winds whipping into your face. These causes may be unavoidable, yet there are steps to take that can minimize their effects. For example, avoid spending too much time outdoors when the pollen count is up and wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes totally from the elements. Wearing contact lenses for too long is another cause of dry eyes that you can easily prevent. For more tips on how to prevent the burning symptoms of dry eyes, visit our Toronto, Ontario , eye care center for a consultation.

Why do dry eyes burn?

Your healthy eye surface is coated in a moisturizing layer of tears that has three parts – a mucous layer that helps to spread tears evenly, a thick and watery middle layer, and an outer layer with an oily composition. The outer oily layer is what protects the water layer from evaporating. Glands in your eyelids are responsible for producing the oil, and blinking stimulates this production. But when your oil glands get clogged, blinking becomes less effective, and your tears can dry out. Once your eye surface isn’t lubricated properly, it gets inflamed and irritated – leading to painful burning eyes.

How can you put out the fire in your eyes and get to sleep?

Often, using over-the-counter lubricating eye drops, also known as artificial tears, can be a quick way to relieve burning dry eyes. At Corktown Eyecare, Dr. Vakani recommends purchasing a brand of artificial tears that is preservative-free, especially if you need to use the eye drops frequently. Another soothing tip is to gently apply cool compresses over your closed eyelids.

If these remedies don’t give you relief, book an eye exam so we can recommend the most effective, personalized dry eye treatment for your unique eyes and condition. Remember, no two eyes are the same, so what works for one person may not work for another.

When are burning eyes a reason to book an urgent eye exam?

If your symptoms are accompanied by extreme light sensitivity or pain, or if you have blurry vision, see floaters or flashes, experience double vision or blurry vision – contact an eye care center near you for assistance.

Or, even if you don’t have any of the above symptoms but your burning eyes don’t get better within a few days, schedule a visit to our Toronto, Ontario , eye doctor.

At Corktown Eyecare, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 647-694-7600 or book an appointment online to see one of our Toronto eye doctors.

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The April 8th solar eclipse is a celestial spectacle not to be missed! But did you know looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage?

Ensure you’re prepared by viewing this helpful resource: Solar Eclipses and Eye Safety (OAO)