Table of contents:
- What causes watery eyes?
- 1. Allergies
- 2. Dry eyes
- 3. The tear duct is blocked
- 4. Corneal problems
- 5. Problems with the eyelids
- 6. Eye infections
- 7. Ingrown lashes
- 8. The presence of autoimmune diseases
- 9. Old age
- How to deal with watery eyes?
When you yawn when you are sleepy or laugh out loud, you may feel your eyes become watery. All of this is normal and should not be confused. However, if your eyes continue to water, or are accompanied by other disturbing symptoms, this may be a sign of a certain disorder.
What causes watery eyes?
Tears actually have benefits for the health of your eyes. One of its main functions is to protect the surface of the eye and prevent foreign objects from entering the eye. So, don't be surprised if your eyes immediately water when your eyes are twitching a foreign object.
Although watery eyes are normal, it can be a problem if your eyes produce too many tears, or the tears don't flow properly. Especially if this complaint is accompanied by a change in vision, pain, a lump near the tear duct, or a feeling of lump in your eye.
Here are some of the causes of your watery eyes that you need to know:
1. Allergies
Eye allergy, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, is a condition that is surprisingly common. When the body is exposed to allergens (smoke, mites, dust, animal dander, pollen, or certain foods), the eyes will experience an allergic reaction in the form of redness, itching, and wateriness.
This allergic reaction is the result of a substance in the body called histamine, which is a substance that is produced when the body comes into contact with an allergen. Sometimes, eye allergies are also accompanied by symptoms of an itchy, sneezing, and congested nose.
2. Dry eyes
As strange as it may sound, watery eyes can also be a sign of dry eyes. Yes, excessive tearing is the body's response to detecting that the surface of your eyes is too dry.
Ultimately, the brain orders the tear glands to overproduce tears in an attempt to protect your eyes. The causes also vary, ranging from hormonal changes, certain medical conditions (diabetes, rheumatism, HIV, to lupus), side effects of drugs, reading or staring at screens for too long, to the use of cosmetics.
3. The tear duct is blocked
Blocked tear ducts or ducts that are too narrow are the most common causes of watery eyes. The tear ducts function to channel the tears produced in the tear glands to the entire surface of your eye.
If these ducts become blocked or narrowed, your tears will build up and form tear pockets, which can cause watery eyes. Not only that, the tears that accumulate in the tear sacs can increase the risk of infection and excess production of the sticky fluid known as belek. This infection can also cause inflammation on the side of the nose, to the side of the eye.
Some people may be born with smaller eye ducts than others. Newborn babies also often experience this condition. Even so, this condition in babies generally gets better within a few weeks, along with the development of the tear ducts.
4. Corneal problems
The cornea is the clear outer layer of the eye which serves as the first line of defense against germs, dirt, or anything else that will enter your eye. Therefore, the cornea is more susceptible to dust particles, germs, or scratches, making it more prone to interference.
One of the most common problems with the cornea is keratitis. This condition occurs when there is injury or inflammation of the cornea. Keratitis is generally caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
According to the website of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, keratitis is accompanied by symptoms of watery, dry, sore, red eyes, a lump in the eye, and more sensitivity to light.
Apart from keratitis, the cornea is also prone to scratches, or what is known as corneal abrasion. Corneal blisters are usually caused by scratches by external objects, such as nails, makeup brushes, or even tree branches. Because the cornea has a large number of nerve cells, you may experience quite intense eye pain, in addition to symptoms of watery eyes.
5. Problems with the eyelids
Problematic eyelids can also affect your tear production. One of them is ectopion or entropion.
Entropion is a skin condition where the eyelids are inverted or folded inward to the eye, causing the lashes to rub against the eyeball. Meanwhile, ectropion is a condition in which the eyelids are turned outwards so that the edges do not touch the eyeball.
Other eyelid disorders such as stye can also cause watery eyes. In addition to increased tear production, stye is also characterized by a pimple on the edge of the eyelid, redness, pain in the eyelid, and sensitivity to light.
6. Eye infections
Eye infections such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and other infections can cause watery eyes. This is a natural reaction of your immune system to fight germs, bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause the infection.
7. Ingrown lashes
Trichiasis is a condition when the eyelashes, which should grow outward, turn inward to the inside of the eye. As a result, the lashes can scratch the cornea, conjunctiva, and the inner surface of the eyelids. These scratches can cause eye irritation and watery symptoms.
There are several conditions that cause trichiasis, ranging from eye infections, inflammation of the eyelids, autoimmune diseases, to eye injuries.
8. The presence of autoimmune diseases
Other health conditions in your body can affect your eyes, for example, autoimmune diseases like Bell's palsy. This disease is caused by disorders of the nervous system in the facial muscles.
As a result, one or part of your face is paralyzed. The eyelids also have difficulty closing properly and experience symptoms of dryness, irritation and blurred vision.
9. Old age
Watery eyes are also common in people who are entering old age. Unlike the tears that come out while laughing or yawning, watery eyes in the elderly are usually persistent.
The meibomian glands, which are located behind the eyelids, are responsible for producing an oily substance to help keep the eyes lubricated. When the meibomian gland becomes inflamed, what is known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), the eyes cannot be optimally lubricated, which in turn results in dry eyes. Now, this is where additional tears start to be produced more than usual.
Not only that, as the age increases, the lower eyelid condition usually decreases too. This makes it difficult for the tears to flow in the right path to the tear holes (puncta) so that the tears build up and look like they are watery.
How to deal with watery eyes?
In many cases, watery eyes generally don't need special treatment because they get better on their own. However, this condition can also be a sign of a serious eye problem that requires special treatment.
To help deal with your condition, here are some things you can do:
- Use eye drops according to your condition. For example, if your watery eyes are caused by dry eyes, you can use artificial tears. If triggered by allergies, use drops containing antihistamines.
- Avoid allergens, such as dust or animal dander. Keep the house clean so you avoid annoying allergens.
- Wear sunglasses to block UV radiation when you are outdoors, especially if your condition is caused by keratitis.
- If you experience sore and watery eyes from the stye, apply warm water to your eyelids for 5-10 minutes. Repeat this step 3-5 times a day.
- Avoid handling or even rubbing your eyes.
Do not delay the time to undergo an eye exam if you experience other serious symptoms, such as decreased vision, something sticks in your eye, or tear production does not decrease even though you have tried the methods above.
Consulting a doctor can also help you get the appropriate treatment. For example, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat watery eyes caused by conjunctivitis or other bacterial infection.
