Watery Eyes: Causes and Tips on how to Deal with Them

Image this: You’re strolling to work within the lifeless of winter. Even along with your hat, scarf, gloves, and large puffer, you’ll be able to really feel the coolness deep inside your bones. After which, it occurs. The dreaded tears begin dripping down your face. 5 minutes later, you present up at work wanting such as you’ve spent the final hour crying—mascara working, red-rimmed eyes and all. What offers?

Chilly temperatures and tough winds are just some of the numerous, many causes of watery eyes. When you’ve by no means skilled the phenomenon, it’d sound like NBD. However it may be a severe ache to cope with, even with out the potential sight-related points that may include the territory.

So why precisely are your eyes watering, and what are you able to do about it? We consulted ophthalmologist Robert Block, MD, and inside drugs doctor Arielle Levitan, MD, to search out out. Learn on for what they needed to say.

What Can Trigger Watery Eyes?

Generally, tears are a superb factor—they preserve the eyes’ entrance surfaces wholesome, preserve eyes moist, and allow you to keep clear imaginative and prescient. However, because it seems, an excessive amount of of a superb factor (tears) can truly be an indication of a bigger drawback.

Watery eyes are brought on by one in every of two major components: an overproduction of tears or an issue draining tears (which often stems from blocked tear ducts).1 And whereas some individuals are merely born with underdeveloped tear ducts or overactive tear manufacturing, the signs are usually indicators of different points at play. As for the underlying situation inflicting overproduction or drainage issues, there are a handful of frequent ones.

Dry Eyes

Sure, surprisingly sufficient, watery eyes is usually a symptom of dry eyes. Also referred to as dysfunctional tear syndrome, Block says it’s one of many two commonest causes of watery eyes. This could happen for a myriad of causes—possibly your physique doesn’t make sufficient tears or maybe the tears you do produce dry up too rapidly. It’s even doable your eyes don’t have the best steadiness of water, oils, and mucus to supply supreme tears.2

And whereas some individuals are merely born with dryer eyes, it will also be exacerbated by situational components (for instance, excessive wind, in addition to sure antidepressants, are recognized to trigger dry eyes).3 Whatever the purpose, dry eyes trigger irritation, which the physique responds to by producing extra tears (to attempt to flush out that irritation), in accordance with Block.

Allergy symptoms and Frequent Colds

Tens of millions of individuals undergo from allergic reactions, and watery, itchy eyes typically include a cough, runny nostril, and different traditional allergy signs. It’s additionally doable to have eye allergic reactions on their very own. Frequent colds may cause watery eyes, too, however whereas each allergic reactions and colds may cause watery eyes, colds hardly ever trigger itchy eyes.4 In each cases, watery eyes usually clear up on their very own as different signs abate. Based on Block, when eyes tear from allergic reactions, it is because of a histamine cascade response, which finally results in an extreme launch of tears and mucus.

Different Frequent Causes

Whereas Block says dry eye syndrome and allergic reactions are the most typical culprits, there are a handful of different pretty frequent causes for watery eyes. This consists of blocked tear drains, infected oil glands within the eyelids (referred to as blepharitis), corneal abrasion, and infections like pink eye or different, extra uncommon inflammations of the attention, says Levitan.

Much less Frequent Causes

• Publicity to chemical substances and fumes: Sure chemical substances and fumes could trigger eye irritation and watering, particularly risky natural compounds (VOCs) that are generally present in cleaners, solvents, paints, furnishings, and even carpets.5 Levitan says even publicity to some make-up merchandise and sunscreens may cause chemical irritations.
• Eye accidents: There are a lot of totally different potential eye accidents, all of which may probably lead to excessively watery eyes.3
• Sure drugs: Some drugs may cause dry eyes—and, as we said earlier, watery eyes is usually a symptom of dry eyes. These drugs can embrace antidepressants, retinoids, and antihistamines. 6

When Are Watery Eyes Trigger for Concern?

Most of the time, watery eyes alone aren’t a sign of something severe, although each medical doctors agree that extreme or extended tearing paired with different particular signs might be trigger for concern. Extra particularly, they warn in opposition to watery eyes accompanied by imaginative and prescient loss or disturbance, discharge or bleeding from eyes, unexplained bruising round eyes, extreme complications, swollen or irritated eyes, or any kind of damage or scratch to the eyes.

When Ought to You See a Physician?

Normally, watery eyes clear up with none remedy. But when they don’t, or they’re together with any of the above signs, it’s in all probability finest to move to an expert. Be ready to reply questions on any latest eye accidents, well being situations, and prescription or over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements repeatedly taken.

As for at-home cures, Block says that utilizing synthetic tears 4 or extra occasions a day can doubtlessly scale back or remove tearing because of dysfunctional tear syndrome; for allergy-related tearing, a chilly compress ought to do the trick. Levitan suggests wanting into over-the-counter drugs for allergy-related eye-watering.

The Last Takeaway

Sadly, watery eyes appear to be fairly frequent. The excellent news is that delicate circumstances are likely to go away on their very own. So don’t leap to worrying straight away, except it’s inflicting any ache or sight-related points. If points persist or worsen, speak to a physician about further remedy strategies. In any case, monitor your signs and attain out for assist whenever you want it.