Why Do My Eyes Burn When They Water? Exploring Causes and Solutions

Eyes burn when tearing because tears contain salt and irritants, or because dry eye triggers reflex tearing.

Why

• Tears contain salt and irritants.
• Dry eye triggers reflex tearing, which is watery and weak.
• Allergies.
• Blocked tear duct.
• Foreign body.
• Infection.

What helps

• Artificial tears.
• Warm compress.
• Avoid rubbing.
• Treat allergies.

See an eye doctor

If pain, redness or vision changes.

Emergency

Chemical exposure. Rinse and call 911.

Why watering eyes still burn

Excess tears can irritate the skin and the eye surface when they contain salt. Reflex tearing happens when the eye is dry or irritated, the tear film is poor in oil or the cornea is inflamed. Tears that overflow can cause burning if the eye is irritated by allergies, blepharitis, conjunctivitis or foreign matter.

• Dry eye disease can paradoxically cause watery eyes.
• Blocked tear ducts cause constant watering and affect about 6 percent of newborns and some adults.
• Wind, smoke, chlorine, contact lenses and screens irritate the eyes.

What helps

Use preservative-free artificial tears, warm compresses for 5 to 10 minutes, lid hygiene and avoid rubbing. Remove contacts. See an eye doctor for pain, light sensitivity, vision changes or discharge. Chemical splashes need immediate flushing with water for at least 15 minutes and emergency care.

Why watering eyes still burn

Watery eyes can happen from dry eye, where poor quality tears trigger reflex tearing, which are watery and lack oils. Allergies, irritants, blocked tear ducts, blepharitis and infections cause burning too. Screen use reduces blinking.

What helps

Use preservative free artificial tears, warm compresses on the lids, avoid rubbing and reduce screen time. See an eye doctor if pain, discharge or vision changes occur.

Tear film problems

Dry eye disease affects 16 million Americans. Tears have an oily layer from meibomian glands that prevents evaporation. When these glands clog (meibomian gland dysfunction), the eye reflexively overproduces watery tears that run off but do not protect the surface. Wind, air conditioning and screens worsen it.

Treatments

Warm compresses for 10 minutes and lid massage open glands. Omega 3 supplements have mixed results. Prescription cyclosporine (Restasis) and lifitegrast (Xiidra) treat inflammation. Punctal plugs keep tears. Allergic conjunctivitis causes itchy watery eyes and is treated with antihistamine drops such as ketotifen. See an eye doctor for pain, light sensitivity or vision changes.

Based on data from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the National Eye Institute