Smoke in Your Eyes? Relief Tips for Wildfire Smoke Irritation

Wildfire smoke has become an increasingly familiar part of life along Colorado’s Front Range. Even when fires are many miles away, smoke can drift into Boulder County and surrounding communities, affecting air quality and causing burning, watery, itchy, or dry eyes.

If you’ve ever stepped outside during wildfire season and immediately felt like you had smoke in your eyes, you’re not imagining it. Tiny smoke particles and gases can irritate the surface of your eyes, leading to discomfort and even temporary vision changes. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to relieve symptoms and protect your eye health during periods of poor air quality.

Why Does Wildfire Smoke Irritate Your Eyes?

Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles and gases that can act like microscopic foreign bodies on the surface of the eye. These irritants can disrupt your natural tear film, trigger inflammation, and worsen existing dry eye or allergy symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

• Burning or stinging eyes
• Redness
• Excessive tearing or watery eyes
• Itching
• Dryness
• A gritty sensation
• Temporary blurry or filmy vision
• How to Relieve Burning, Red, and Irritated Eyes

If your eyes become irritated during periods of smoky air, these simple measures can often provide relief.

How to Relieve Burning, Stinging, and Red Eyes from Smoke

Reduce Your Smoke Exposure

• Keep windows and doors closed when outdoor air quality is poor.
• Run your central air conditioning and replace filters regularly.
• Use a humidifier in rooms where you spend the most time reading, working, or relaxing.
• Consider using a HEPA air purifier indoors. Avoid models that use ionizers.

Keep Your Eyes Lubricated

• Artificial tears help dilute irritants and restore the eye’s natural moisture.
• Use artificial tears such as Refresh Optive® or Systane Ultra® up to six times per day. Preservative-free artificial tears may be used more frequently if needed.
• Avoid eye washes or rinsing your eyes with tap water. Both can alter the natural balance of your tears and may actually increase irritation.

Can Wildfire Smoke Cause Eye Allergies?

Yes. Small particles in wildfire smoke can trigger allergy-like reactions, even in people who don’t normally experience seasonal allergies.

To reduce allergy symptoms:

• Use over-the-counter anti-allergy eye drops such as Alaway® or Zaditor® twice daily.
• Place a cool, damp washcloth over closed eyelids to help reduce inflammation.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes, which can make symptoms worse.

Why Smoke Makes Dry Eyes Worse

Healthy tears contain a balanced mixture of water, proteins, and oils that keep the eyes comfortable and vision clear.

Wildfire smoke can upset that balance in two ways. Smoke gases increase evaporation of the watery portion of tears, while smoke particles and toxins can trigger inflammation that changes tear composition. The result may be:

• Burning
• Stinging
• Redness
• Blurry or filmy vision
• Excessive watering

Several treatments can help relieve dry eye symptoms during wildfire season.

• Artificial Tears
  Help restore the natural balance of your tear film, and they are often the first step in relieving smoke-related dry eyes.
• Tear Duct Plugs
  Tiny tear duct plugs can be placed in the natural drainage openings of the eyelids to help keep your own tears on the surface of the eyes longer. The procedure is quick, painless, and the plugs typically dissolve on their own after about three months.
• Prescription Dry Eye Medications
  Prescription medications such as Restasis® and Xiidra® can help increase natural tear production for people with chronic dry eye symptoms.

Can Wildfire Smoke Cause Blurry Vision?

Yes. Smoke-related eye irritation can sometimes cause temporary blurry vision.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva—the thin membrane covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids—can affect vision. Moderate to severe dryness may also damage the corneal surface cells. Because the cornea plays an essential role in focusing light, these changes can temporarily reduce visual clarity.

Treating the underlying irritation and dryness usually allows the eye’s surface to heal and vision to return to normal.

When Should You See An Ophthalmologist?

While mild smoke irritation often improves with home treatment, persistent symptoms deserve medical evaluation.

Schedule an eye examination if:

• Your symptoms do not improve after several days.
• Artificial tears and other self-care measures are not providing relief.
• Your vision remains blurry.
• You develop significant eye pain, light sensitivity, or worsening redness.

An ophthalmologist can determine whether wildfire smoke is the cause of your symptoms or whether another eye condition requires treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wildfire Smoke and Your Eyes

Can wildfire smoke permanently damage my eyes?

Most smoke-related eye irritation is temporary and improves once smoke exposure decreases. However, prolonged exposure can worsen existing dry eye disease or other eye conditions, making treatment important if symptoms persist.

Should I wear contact lenses when it’s smoky outside?

Some people find that contact lenses become uncomfortable during periods of heavy smoking. If your eyes feel irritated, switching to glasses until the air quality improves may provide greater comfort.

Can an air purifier help protect my eyes?

Yes. A HEPA air purifier can reduce indoor smoke particles and may lessen eye irritation by improving indoor air quality.

What eye drops work best for wildfire smoke?

Artificial tears are generally the best first step for relieving dryness and irritation. If allergy symptoms are contributing, over-the-counter anti-allergy eye drops may also be helpful. If symptoms continue despite treatment, schedule an evaluation with your eye doctor.

Let’s Talk

If your eyes remain red, painful, dry, or your vision becomes blurry despite these measures, it may be time for an eye examination. Donald McCormack, MD, provides comprehensive ophthalmology care at Boulder Medical Center. Learn more about Dr. McCormack and schedule an appointment.