2. Introduction of Watery eyes
When you produce too many tears, or when normal tear drainage is blocked, your eyes may get a
little watery. The influx of tears can spill onto your eyelids and cheeks, leaving you with a feeling of
crying. Depending on the cause, there are different things you can do to fix it.
Tears are necessary for nourishment and lubrication of the human eye. Every time you blink, you're
washing your eyes with tears produced by the lacrimal glands in your upper eyelids. These glands
make extra tears due to irritation and inflammation. Tears usually drain out of the eye and into the
nose through ducts located in the corners of your eyes.
3. People who suffer from watery eyes normally experience an overproduction of tears, which are made
up of water, oil, and mucous. These may be caused by:
Dry eye syndrome: Dry-eye syndrome often leads to watery eyes. When eyes dry out, they become
irritated and uncomfortable. That stimulates the lacrimal glands to make excessive tears which
overwhelm the eye’s natural drainage system. Tear production tends to lessen with age, so dry
eyes are more common in older adults. In addition to excessive tearing,
symptoms of dry eye syndrome may include blurred vision, itchy eyes, or burning eyes. One
remedy for milder cases of dry eye is using over-the-counter artificial tears.
Allergens: Substances that cause an allergic reaction are called allergens. Allergic reaction can cause
your eyes to become red and irritated, prompting tear production, itching, and burning. The most
common cause of allergic reaction are grass, tree,weed pollens, dust mites, and moulds. Other
causes of itchy, watery eyes that are not true allergens include exhaust fumes, aerosol sprays,
perfumes, and cigarette smoke.
Infections: Part of your body’s response to an eye infection can be to produce excess tears. This is an
effort to keep the eye lubricated and wash away germs and discharge. Conjunctivitis and
blepharitis are two infectious diseases known to cause watery eyes. Signs of eye infection may
include eye pain, blurred vision, redness, gritty feeling in the eyes, discharge, and crusts that
form at night, along with increased tearing.
Irritants: Your eyes produce excess tears in response to other types of irritation, such as dry air, bright
light, wind, smoke, dust, an eyelash, or exposure to chemicals. Eyestrain also can cause watery
eyes.
4. Diagnosis and treatment of watery eyes
You may be able to know the cause of your watery eyes on your own:
If your eyes feel dry, raw, and uncomfortable just before they begin to water, you are probably
experiencing dry eye syndrome.
If your eyes are itchy and swollen, allergies are the likely culprit. In these cases, over-the-counter
remedies are available.
If dry eyes are causing excess tearing, you can treat those using artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.
Artificial tears can also help wash away any irritants like dust that may be causing your eyes to water.
Over-the-counter medicated eye drops help treat allergies that are causing watery eyes by
interrupting the body’s immune response.
When to see an ophthalmologist?
You must visit an eye specialist or ophthalmologist if you are experiencing:
Unexplained tearing over a long period
Watery eyes that are also red and producing discharge
Watery eyes and eye pain
Watery eyes and sore sinuses
In the end, if your watery eyes don’t clear up with over-the-counter treatment, you should get medical
attention from a qualified ophthalmologist.
