What to Do If You Burn Your Eye: Immediate Actions and Treatment

Published on October 06th, 2023

Updated on August 06th, 2024

If you burn your eye, you should immediately seek urgent medical assistance. Burning your eye occurs when a harmful substance splashes or blows into your eye and can be categorised as either a chemical burn or a thermal burn. Depending on factors such as the type of substance involved, duration of exposure and which ocular tissues are affected can determine the severity of the injury. A chemical burn in the eye can take place when common household items such as cleaning chemicals suddenly enter the eye and can lead to pain, redness, burning sensation, eyelid swelling, blurry vision and tearing. Thermal burn to the eyes can occur when hot cooking oil, hot water or heat from fire comes into contact with the eye and may cause damage. Eye burn treatment may include a decontamination process, medication to alleviate pain, eye drops and further treatment depending on the cause and severity. You can prevent burning your eyes by wearing protective goggles when handling cleaning chemicals or using a splatter screen when cooking. This article will cover more about what to do when your eyes burn, common causes, treatment and prevention.

When you burn your eye, immediate actions that may be recommended to take are to flush the eye with clean lukewarm water for 15 minutes, do not rub your eyes, cover the eye with a clean cloth, avoid irritants, don’t put anything else in your eye and seek medical help. The immediate actions to take when you burn your eye are listed below.

Immediately Flush the Eye with Clean Lukewarm Water For 15 minutes: Immediately flush the affected eye with lukewarm water for 15 minutes to remove the causative substances from the eyes.
Do Not Rub Your Eyes: Do not rub your eyes to prevent any further injuries.
Cover With a Clean Cloth: Cover the eye with a clean cloth to keep air or dirt off the burned eye and its surrounding areas that may be affected.
Avoid Irritants: Avoid irritants such as sprayable fragrances, facial cosmetics or cigarette smoke which may cause burning for those with sensitive eyes.
Do Not Put Anything Else in Your Eye: Do not put anything else in your eye to attempt treatment by yourself as it may further aggravate the eyes causing more damage or injury.
Seek Medical Help: Seek medical help from your local doctor or an optometrist to receive professional assistance and care for your burned eyes.

1. Immediately Flush the Eye with Clean Lukewarm Water for 15 Minutes

Immediately flush the eye with clean lukewarm water for 15 minutes to remove the causative substance from the eye, which may relieve burned eyes You can try flushing the eye by standing in your shower and letting a gentle stream of warm water run over your forehead and then into your eye. Ensure your eyes are open in order for the water to flush the substance out of your eye.

2. Do Not Rub Your Eyes

Do not rub your eyes to prevent the causative substance from burning the eye more or further injuries to the eye and eyelid Rubbing your eyes may cause micro scratches on your cornea, therefore, it may exacerbate the burning sensation in your eye.

3. Cover the Eye With a Clean Cloth

Cover the eye with a clean cloth to keep air off the burned eye and prevent infections or dirt from contaminating the eye and its surrounding areas. A clean cloth such as a sterile gauze can be used to cover the burned eyes but ensure you do not add pressure to the area.

4. Avoid Irritants

Avoid irritants that can easily come into contact with the eyes and may worsen the burning sensation. Irritants such as facial cosmetics, sprayable fragrances or cigarette smoke should be avoided when you burn your eyes as they may already be sensitive and painful.

5. Do Not Put Anything In Your Eye

Do not put anything in your eye to try treating the burning sensation by yourself as it could aggravate your condition and lead to damage or injury.

6. Seek Medical Help

Seek medical help to ensure you are receiving professional care for your burned eyes and prevent further complications in the eye. Medical help from an optometrist or your local doctor is strongly advisable as they will be able to carry out a comprehensive examination and treatment.

What is a Burning Eye?

A burning eye is when either a chemical substance or heat comes into contact with one or both eyes and can cause damage or injuries. Burned eyes can occur depending on the type of substance or source of heat involved, duration of exposure and which regions of the eye are affected. Burning eyes can also be a symptom of allergies or an infection which can both develop randomly. However, chemical or thermally burned eyes occur as a direct result of chemicals entering the eye or direct exposure to heat.

What are the Causes of Burning Eyes?

The causes of burning eyes are alkali eye burns, acid eye burns, thermal eye burns and irritants. It is important to note that if you are wondering why do my eyes burn, it could also be a result of allergies or an infection. Therefore, it is recommended to have your eyes examined by an optometrist to determine the cause of your symptoms. The causes of burning eyes are listed below.

Alkali Eye Burns: Alkali eye burns can come from household cleaning products that contain ammonia, as well as drain and industrial cleaning solutions that contain sodium hydroxide. Alkali eye burns are considered dangerous as they can penetrate the surface of the eye and can lead to problems such as damage to the cornea, formation of corneal ulcers and ocular pain.
Acid Eye Burns: Acid eye burns can occur if substances typically found in car batteries, bleach and glass polishing solutions get into the eye. Acid eye burns can mainly cause injury to the front of the eye, as acids precipitate tissue protein impeding the substance from further penetrating according to the National Library of Medicine.
Thermal Eye Burns: Thermal eye burns can commonly occur as a result of accidents with boiling water, hot cooking oil and flames from an explosion or fire. Thermal eye burns may be less severe than chemical eye burns due to our natural blink reflexes, leading to more eyelid injuries according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Irritants: Irritants such as chlorine, fragrances, cigarette smoke and household cleaning products may easily come in contact with the eyes and cause a burning sensation. However, burned eyes from irritants may only require rinsing the eyes and a cool compress for soothing.

Infographic of common symptoms of burning eyes

How Does Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) Cause a Burning Sensation?

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) can cause a burning sensation due to infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) can induce a burning sensation as it is the eye’s natural response to irritation. The conjunctiva is the clear, thin membrane that covers the sclera and the inside of the eyelid. Along with a burning sensation, redness, tearing, itchiness and discharge are other common symptoms that typically occur.

A conjunctivitis-affected eye showing symptoms of redness

Can Allergies Lead to Burning Eyes?

Yes, allergies can lead to burning eyes as the body produces histamine in response to certain allergens. Allergies can trigger burning eyes when the body creates a chemical known as histamine to defend itself against allergens, which can cause swelling, redness and itchiness in the conjunctiva. This then leads to burning in the eyes and excessive tears. The typical causes of eye allergies can include pollen from trees, grass and weeds, pet dander, dust, mould, cigarette smoke and perfume.

Can Exposure to Smoke or Pollution Cause Burning Eyes?

Yes, exposure to smoke or pollution can cause burning eyes due to the fine particles that can enter the eyes and cause irritation. Smoke and pollution can lead to burning eyes along with tearing, redness and itchiness as well as other complications after prolonged exposure. Protection against smoke or pollution is important in maintaining eye health and comfort, therefore, using eyedrops to increase moisture or minimising exposure may be advisable.

A woman covering her irritated and burning eyes from smoke and pollution.

Can Underlying Medical Conditions Like Blepharitis Lead to Burning Eyes?

Yes, conditions like blepharitis can lead to burning eyes due to irritation and inflammation in the eyelids. Conditions like blepharitis can cause the eyes to burn as part of the eye’s response to the accumulation of bacteria on the eyelids. Other than a burning sensation in the eyes, blepharitis can also bring on symptoms such as the feeling of having something stuck in your eye, itchiness, eyelid swelling, redness, watery eyes and a gritty or sand-like sensation. It is recommended that you see an optometrist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms to ensure you are receiving the appropriate treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of Burning Eyes?

The symptoms of burning eyes are stinging, redness, ocular pain, eyelid swelling, watery eyes and blurry vision. The symptoms of a chemical burn in the eye may be similar to thermal-burned eye symptoms but can also differ depending on the severity of the condition. The symptoms of burning eyes are listed below.

Stinging: Stinging can occur along with burning eyes as a result of a chemical burn especially due to high pH level substances.
Redness: Redness is a common symptom that develops along with burned eyes as the small blood vessels beneath the eye’s surface are inflamed and enlarged.
Ocular Pain: Ocular pain may arise due to the substance or heat that comes into contact with the eye and may range from mild to severe depending on the nature of the burn.
Eyelid Swelling: Eyelid swelling may also take place after a chemical or thermal eye burn as a consequence of the inflammation.
Watery Eyes: Watery eyes are also a common symptom that can occur as the eye attempts to flush out the cause of irritation.
Blurry Vision: Blurry vision could occur after a chemical substance enters the eye, however, may alleviate after some time.

How to Prevent Burning Eyes?

The ways to prevent burning eyes may include wearing safety goggles, safety glasses, disposable gloves or a face shield. If you are unfamiliar with the proper use of certain chemicals in cleaning solutions, precautions should be taken such as reading the instructions before use. The ways to prevent burning eyes are listed below.

Wearing Safety Goggles: Wearing safety goggles can help prevent burning eyes as they can protect the eyes against possible chemical splashes or fumes. Safety goggles are typically made from polycarbonate or Trivex and sit tightly on the face. It is important to note that Oscar Wylee does not offer safety goggles.
Safety Glasses: Wearing safety glasses may also offer similar protection to safety goggles, however, they do not sit as close to the face. Therefore safety glasses may be a suitable option for low-risk cases of chemical splashes and/or when the chemicals used are not harmful.
Disposable Gloves: Wear disposable gloves when handling chemicals and discard them afterwards to prevent getting any residue on your eyes and face.
Face Shield: A face shield may be a good option for preventing eye burns as it can block any spills or splashes as well as heat from reaching the eyes.

What At-Home Remedies Can Help Alleviate Burning Eyes?

At-home remedies that can help alleviate burning eyes can include using a cold compress, eye drops, flushing the eye with water and covering the eyes with a clean cloth. The at-home remedies that can help alleviate burning eyes are listed below.

Cold Compress: A cold compress may help alleviate burning eyes as it can reduce swelling, and eye pain and provide a cooling relief to burned eyes.
Eye Drops: Eye drops can be used to mitigate burning eyes as they may help increase moisture in the eyes, which can bring comfort to the irritation and pain. Do not use eyedrops unless they have been prescribed by an optometrist or healthcare professional.
Flushing the Eye: Flushing the eye with water can be an at-home remedy that may assist with burning eyes, which may help with removing the chemical substance from the eye or cooling the eyes from a thermal eye burn.
Covering the Eyes With a Clean Cloth: Covering the eyes with a clean cloth after burning your eyes can offer a helpful at-home remedy for keeping air and dirt off the burned eye.

Can Eye Drops Be Used to Treat a Chemical Burn?

Yes, eye drops can be used to treat a chemical burn depending on the severity and whether it is a chemical or thermal eye burn. Medical eye drops may be prescribed such as antibiotic drops if the condition of the eye burn is considered minor according to Web MD. Do not use eye drops for eye burns unless they have been prescribed by an optometrist or healthcare professionals.

When Should I See a Doctor if My Eyes Are Burning?

You should see a doctor as soon as possible if your eyes are burning as a result of an acid eye burn, alkali eye burn, thermal eye burn and if the burning is severe or unusual. Seeing a doctor for burning eyes can help determine the right treatment. It is important to note that if your condition may require further examination or treatment, an optometrist or local doctor may refer you to an ophthalmologist. The indications that you need to see a doctor if your eyes are burning are listed below.

Acid Eye Burn: An acid eye burn will require you to see a doctor for medical help as acidic substances can cause harm to the surface of the eye.
Alkali Eye Burn: An alkali eye burn will require you to seek medical help from a doctor as alkali substances are considered dangerous as they can lead to irreparable damage to protein and tissue according to the National Library of Medicine.
Thermal Eye Burn: A thermal eye burn will require you to get medical assistance from a doctor so they can assess any damage that was caused and ensure there are no further complications.
Burning is Severe or Unusual: If the burning is severe or unusual and accompanied by other symptoms such as a headache, light sensitivity, a fever or any changes to your vision, you should seek medical assistance from a doctor or healthcare professional.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From an Eye Chemical Burn?

To recover from a chemical burn, it may take three weeks after the injury for the healing process to begin. A chemical eye burn recovery may take place in certain stages depending on the severity of damage caused by the injury. According to the National Library of Medicine, during the first week the eye tissues are removing the toxins and are restoring the corneal epithelium’s superficial protective layer. This is known as the acute phase followed by the early reparative phase and finally the late reparative phase.

Is it Possible to Recover From a Burning Eye Over Several Weeks?

Yes, it is possible to recover from a burning eye over several weeks if the burning eye is severe. Major eye burns can take more than three weeks to completely heal and may involve surgery according to All About Vision. Further complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, corneal scarring, complications of the conjunctiva and eyelid, retinal detachment and corneal ulcerations may also occur as a result of severe eye burns.

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