Some people never have to deal with it and others do so on a regular basis. Just sensitive eyes, dry eyes, there can be all kinds of reasons and fortunately they can usually be solved easily. It goes without saying that it is good to find out the reason and only then act.

What to do if you have burning and/or itchy eyes?

Many people experience it at some point and it is almost always based on a lack of tear fluid. The moist layer (the tear film) over the cornea can evaporate too quickly and there is a reason for this, just dripping if you do not know the reason is not recommended. The eyes are too delicate for that.There are several reasons and the most common are:

• Wear contact lenses
• Work a lot at the computer
• Use medications
• Room with air conditioning

GP

Even if you think you know how you get those burning and/or itchy eyes, it is still a good idea to consult your doctor about this. In addition to being counterproductive, the wrong remedies can also have consequences for the future, for example recurring eye infections.

How can you be good for your eyes?

Hot or cold

In addition to putting drops in the eyes to keep them moist, there is more you can do. If you can avoid air-conditioned areas, do so, otherwise make sure you apply eye drops consistently. And if there is no air conditioning in a room to combat the heat, but there are fans, be extra careful with this. Definitely do not stand or sit in the field of view of the fan. With the heating fully open in the cold winter months, water spread in containers here and there can help to moisten the dry air.

Cosmetics

Sensitive eyes can also react extra to mascara, so only apply some to the ends of your eyelashes when using it. To be on the safe side, also use waterproof mascara. There is also a mascara specifically for sensitive eyes for sale, but this is not effective for everyone. Do not work with eye pencils on the inside of the lower eyelid and be careful with eye shadow and loose powder for the face.

Other

• Smoking areas are taboo, because the eyes can react very strongly to them… so avoid them. In public areas where smoking is already a taboo, it is becoming increasingly easier.
• If you spend a lot of time at the computer, specific glasses designed specifically for use at the computer can sometimes help. They give the eyes some rest, so to speak. But you can also vary more and do something different after two hours at the computer. If you do something different, some exercises for the eyes can help. Turn your eyes in circles (left and right) and, without turning your face, look alternately up, down, left and right.
• If you are taking medication and your eyes are bothering you as a result, consult your doctor. If you are just finishing a course of treatment, some drops may help for a while. However, if the use of medication is of a more structural nature, discuss it carefully with your GP about how to solve this.
• Contact reading can also be the cause, but special drops can be purchased for this, which you can use with the lenses. If it still persists or gets worse, consult with your ophthalmologist or optician; another solution may need to be sought. The glasses or perhaps laser (if possible).
• A shortage of tear fluid can also occur in aging people due to changes in the sebaceous glands. Drips can also offer the solution here.

Finally

Well-known conditions such as hay fever are also often accompanied by burning eyes, but in this case it is better to see whether the hay fever can be treated in its entirety (which unfortunately is not always possible). In any case, don’t keep walking around with it, it can often be solved easily and besides, the eyes are too delicate to just let it take its course.