If you suffer from watery eyes, understand what causes watery eyes, and learn about effective watery eyes treatment. Covers allergies, blockages, and when to see a specialist.
Watery eyes or epiphora are a symptom wherein tears spill over the eyelids and cannot drain properly. This occurs when there is too much tear production within the eyes or when partial or full obstruction of tear drainage takes place. This could be due to constant moisture, irritation, and even blurred vision.
Although this may only appear to be a minor annoyance, long-term tearing can signal more profound problems needing medical intervention. Sometimes, if it is left alone, the risk of permanent vision loss becomes high. Knowing what causes watery eyes can help identify the best way toward healing and prevention. Timely care by an ophthalmologist ensures proper diagnosis and management.
Symptoms of Watery Eyes and What Causes Watery Eyes
Epiphora usually feels like the eyes are wet or tearing for no reason. You may notice tears running down your cheeks, especially outdoors, in cold weather, or when you read. It is usually an irritation and sometimes interferes with daily activities, including driving and working.
Common symptoms include redness, a feeling of excess moisture, mild swelling, light sensitivity, and intermittent blurred vision. Advanced cases may involve irritation to the eyelids or skin surrounding the eyes from constant wiping.
With regards to what causes watery eyes, the condition generally results from two broad factors: irritation or infection.
- Irritation causes include allergic reactions, wind, dust, or small particles in the eye. Minor injuries, including corneal abrasions, may also provoke reflex tears in order to protect the eye.
- The causes that are infection-related include the highly contagious pink eye (conjunctivitis), which is an inflammation of the membrane covering the eye and inner eyelid, thus creating sticky discharge and redness.
You can learn in greater detail from the detailed conjunctivitis treatment guide about the issue. It is also important to know how pink eye spreads quickly and the importance of its early management.
Epiphora Diagnosis and Testing
A diagnosis is usually made through a comprehensive eye examination, which first pinpoints whether the problem is that of overproduction or poor drainage of tears. In diagnosing, the doctor may examine eyelids, lashes, and cornea for inflammation, infection, or foreign objects.
Sometimes, colored eye drops are given to check the rate of tear drainage from the surface of the eye. Poor drainage suggests blocked tear ducts, one common reason for the eye issue.
If structural issues are suspected, tests such as X-rays or CT scans may be ordered for visualization of the tear duct pathway. By identifying the cause, the doctor is in an excellent position to recommend the proper watery eyes treatment, thus preventing chronic irritation or infection.
Watery Eyes Treatment and Management
Treatment of watery eyes would thus depend on the cause. As there can be numerous causes of epiphora, treatment options range from simple care that can be given at home to complex correction with surgery.
Eye drops and medicines:
- Eye drops or oral drugs can help with swelling or infection. Antibiotics are needed for bacterial infections, although antihistamines or anti-allergy drops can help when allergies are to blame. In the same way, lubricating drops can help dry eyes that sometimes make you tear up.
- Important: Always finish the whole course of prescriptions that your doctor gives you, even if your symptoms start to go away. If you don't finish your therapy, the infection could come back or become resistant to treatment.
- Getting rid of something foreign or debris: If the tearing is caused by something stuck on the surface of the eye, taking it off and letting the tissue recover usually will fix the problem.
- Tear duct procedures: If the tear ducts are blocked, treatment can include cleaning them with saline and gently probing them, or surgery to rebuild them so that they can drain normally again. Severe and recurring obstructions frequently require little surgery to establish a new tear pathway.
Final Thoughts
If you keep tearing for days or have eye pain, red eyes, and vision loss, you shouldn't wait and must act immediately. The early evaluation will stop problems from happening and help you feel better in the long run. Find reliable and comprehensive eye care solutions for your long-term eye health and get professional guidance.
FAQ
- What sets Epiphora distinct from Lacrimation?
Epiphora is the weeping that happens when there is too much fluid in the eyes, while lacrimation is the regular process of making tears to keep the eyes moist.
- When should I go to the doctor?
If your eyes are watery for more than a few days and red or make it hard to see, you should see an eye doctor.
- Can having allergies make your eyes watery?
Yes. Allergies that happen during certain times of the year or because of the environment can cause too many tears.
- Can having dry eyes make your eyes watery?
Yes. Dry eyes can signal the glands to make too many tears, which can cause momentary overflow.
