A cataract develops when the naturally clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, similar to looking through a fogged-up window. This clouding scatters light entering the eye, causing a progressive decline in vision. The primary effect of a cataract is on the clarity of sight, rather than the physical sensation of the eye itself. Understanding the difference between internal lens clouding and external surface irritation is important for determining the cause of eye discomfort.
The Core Symptoms of Cataracts
The most recognized signs of a cataract involve changes to a person’s visual experience. Vision often appears cloudy, blurred, or dim, making it difficult to discern fine details. This visual distortion results from the opaque lens scattering light instead of focusing it cleanly onto the retina.
Patients commonly report difficulty seeing in low-light conditions, with an increase in glare and halos around light sources like streetlights or oncoming headlights. Colors may also seem less vibrant or appear faded and yellowed over time. Occasionally, a cataract can cause double vision in a single eye.
Direct Answer: The Link Between Cataracts and Burning Eyes
A cataract itself does not cause a burning sensation, stinging, or physical pain in the eye. The burning sensation is a symptom of irritation on the eye’s surface, while a cataract is an internal change within the lens structure. Since the lens does not contain pain receptors, its clouding does not trigger a direct pain response.
If a person with cataracts experiences burning, the two symptoms are usually coincidental, stemming from separate but coexisting conditions. Both cataracts and conditions that cause surface irritation, particularly chronic dry eye, share a common risk factor: increasing age. Therefore, a separate ocular surface issue is likely responsible for the burning feeling.
Common Causes of Eye Burning and Irritation
The most frequent cause of eye burning and stinging is Dry Eye Syndrome (DES), a condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Tears are composed of water, oil, and mucus; an imbalance in these components can destabilize the tear film. This instability leaves the surface of the cornea unprotected, leading to a gritty feeling, redness, and a burning sensation.
Age-related changes naturally reduce tear production and quality, making DES common in the older population prone to cataracts. Certain medications, such as antihistamines or blood pressure drugs, can also reduce tear production, worsening dryness and burning. Other surface issues like allergic conjunctivitis can cause burning when the eyes react to environmental triggers like pollen or pet dander.
Another common culprit is blepharitis, which is the inflammation of the eyelids. This condition causes the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes to become blocked or irritated, further compromising the tear film and resulting in a stinging, burning, and gritty feeling. Addressing the burning requires treating the surface condition, not the cataract itself.
Post-Surgical Irritation
Following cataract surgery, temporary eye irritation is common. Patients frequently describe a scratchy, gritty, or mild burning sensation in the days and weeks after the procedure. This temporary discomfort is due to the minor incisions made in the cornea during the surgery.
These small incisions temporarily disrupt the corneal surface nerves, which signal the eye to produce tears. The resulting transient dry eye can cause burning and grittiness, even in patients who did not have dry eye symptoms beforehand. This irritation, often managed with prescribed drops, gradually improves and resolves within a few weeks to a few months as the nerves heal.