Watery eyes do not mean “crying”. Yes, the material like tears are also secreted from the eyes, but it can be a symptom of watery eyes. Your eyes produce tears constantly to help moisten each eye and wash out any foreign objects or particles. Home remedies for watery eyes can help.
The accessory lacrimal glands on the back of the upper and lower eyelids produce tears that moisten the eyes throughout the day.
The main lacrimal glands, located near the upper outer corner of each eye, produce tears to flush foreign materials out of the eye and for psychological tears during crying. Then tears flow across the eye to the tear ducts, located in the inside corners of each eye. Tears drain through the tear ducts and into the nose.
Check: Home remedy for Dry eyes
Watery eyes result from exposure to irritants, infections, a blockage of your tear ducts, or structural problems with the eyelids sagging so that the ducts aren’t in their normal positions.
Ironically, watery eyes can result from reflex tearing when the nerves sense that the surface is too dry in people with dry eye syndrome. For many people, watery eyes get better without treatment.
Your doctor may recommend treatment if watery eyes interfere with your vision or if you have other symptoms, like pain.
Watery Eyes can develop at any age, but it is more common in those aged under 12 months or over 60 years.
It may affect one or both eyes. However, it is possible to treat the condition effectively.
It is a common issue, yet it can be depressive that’s why I am going to tell you about watery eyes, its symptoms, and possible causes, and in the end, I will tell you some tips and home remedies that will help you to get rid of watery eyes.
Check: Home remedy for Pink eyes
What are watery eyes?
Watery eyes are also called “epiphora” in medical language.
“Epiphora/Watery Eyes/Tearing is a condition in which there is an overflow of tears onto the face, often without any clear reason”
Tears keep the front surface of the eye healthy and maintain clear vision, but too many tears can hinder vision.
Watery eyes can develop at any age, however, it’s far more common in those who are younger than one year or older than 60 years and might have an effect on one or both eyes.
Epiphora happens when there is either an overproduction of tears or insufficient tear film drainage from the eye or eyes. When tears are unable to drain properly through the nasolacrimal system, they overflow onto the face.
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Symptoms of watery eyes
There are the following symptoms that can appear in watery eyes;-
- Moist in the eyes
- An excessive amount of tears
- Blur vision
- Feel like there is something in the eyes.
- Redness in the eyes
- Heaviness in the eyes
- Irritation in the eyes
- Burning sensation around the eyes
Causes of watery eyes
There are the following causes that can be responsible for watery eyes;-
Dry eyes
Even if your oil glands are working optimally, you can still have dryness that leads to excessive tearing. If the underlying cause of dry eyes isn’t addressed, the tearing will just go on and on.
The dry eye itself has multiple causes, including autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, medicines like antihistamines, and exposure to smoke or wind. Dry eyes are also more common as we age, especially in postmenopausal women. Dry eyes can be a common cause of watery eyes.
Blockage in the tear duct
Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands, then they wash over the eye and drain out through the small holes in the corner of the eye called tear ducts. If those ducts are blocked, tears will accumulate.
Tear ducts can become blocked in adults because of an injury, an infection, inflammation, or (rarely) a tumor. Aging can also cause the tear ducts to narrow.
Blocked tear ducts are quite common in babies, especially newborns. In infants, blocked tear ducts often resolve on their own or can be helped with a special type of massage.
Allergies
Both allergies and colds can cause your eyes to water. This is usually nothing more than a nuisance.
Limit allergy-related tearing by avoiding allergens as much as possible. Depending on your specific allergy, that could mean staying inside more during pollen season, keeping dust in the house to a minimum, or limiting time with cats and dogs. Over-the-counter eye drops along with decongestants and antihistamines can help.
Conjunctivitis
It is also called pink eye, conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by adenoviruses, pesky viruses that can cause the common cold, bronchitis, and sore throats. Teary eyes are just one pink eye symptom. You’ll likely also have itching, redness, and pain.
There’s not much by way of treatment for viral conjunctivitis, other than letting the infection run its course. A cool, wet compress over your eyes may ease some of the tearing and other symptoms. Like colds, this type of pink eye is rabidly contagious. Prevent spreading it by avoiding touching your eyes, washing your hands regularly, and cleaning pillowcases, sheets, and towels frequently.
Little Red Bumps
Styes are little red bumps that grow on your eyelid or lash line and may cause tears in the eye. Most styes are caused by bacterial infections, and they often hurt.
“They’re like pimples on the eyelid,” Styes are not serious, but they are annoying. A warm compress can help speed along healing.
Cornea disorders
The cornea is the transparent, outermost layer of the eye. It’s the first line of defense against germs, dirt, and anything else that could get into your eyes. That makes it vulnerable.
Anything that irritates your cornea can also make your eyes water, be it a dust particle, a sore, or a scratch. You’re likely also to have redness, pain, and sensitivity to light if a cornea issue is causing your watery eyes.
Many problems with the cornea don’t need to be treated, while others may require medication or even surgery.
Having problems with eyelids
Even if you don’t have Bell’s palsy, you may have problems with your eyelids or eyelashes that can also dry out your eyes and then make them teary.
Eyelids that turn outward (called ectropion) or inward (called entropion) can both cause watery eyes. Artificial tears can help minimize discomfort, but these problems usually require surgery.
If just the eyelashes turn in (called trichiasis), they might rub the eyes and cause them to water.
Sometimes these eyelid problems are a natural sign of aging. As we get older, the skin of our eyelids tends to sag, which may cause tears to seep out instead of draining through the tear ducts.
Something in your eye
When something enters your eye (a speck of dirt, dust, an eyelash), your eye produces more tears to expel it.
Even things that are too small to see, like particles in smoke or chemicals in onions, trigger this reaction. Once the problem is eliminated, your eyes will stop watering. But there are other health and eye problems that can also make you cry more often.
Tips to prevent watery eyes
There are the following tips that can be effective against watery eyes;-
Do not rub your eyes
Most people rub their eyes if they feel something in their eyes. If you think there is something inside your eye, never rub it. Rubbing your eye with a stuck particle may aggravate the discomfort and even lead to ocular damage. Rubbing is not going to help your eyes in any way but will ruin your situation and might give you a worse condition than earlier.
Clean hands before touching the eyes
Make sure to touch your eyes only with clean, sanitized hands. When caring for a child with an eye infection, you must adhere to the doctor-stipulated standards of hygiene to prevent contaminating your own eyes.
Lots of daily activities might involve you touching your eyes like applying makeup, wiping tears while cooking, and cleaning your face. While doing any activity which involves touching your eyes make sure you have cleaned your hands properly.
Wear contact lenses only when necessary
Make sure to remove your contact lenses before going to sleep and even before a short nap. It is best if you avoid wearing your contact lenses when swimming or showering.
People with dry eyes are advised not to use contact lenses as these can add to the ocular discomfort and make their condition worse
Use eyewear
Wear protective sunglasses to shield your eyes from airborne debris and particles when venturing outdoors. Moreover, as watery eyes tend to be photosensitive, it is best to wear dark sunglasses to keep them comfortable in sunlight.
Rinse your eyes regularly
If you get something in your eyes that makes them tear up excessively, you can rinse them frequently with splashes of cool, clean water.
Moreover, splashing cold water on your eyes can instantly reduce the overproduction of tears and ocular irritation caused by exposure to chemicals or harsh sun rays.
Take breaks at regular intervals when working on the screen
Prolonged exposure to the blue-light emission from LED screens can tire your eyes. You need to rest your eyes from time to time to prevent straining. Also, do not use screened gadgets too close to bedtime as they can leave you invigorated, consequently disrupting your sleep.
Avoid borrowing Makeup
Do not use another person’s makeup kit or any makeup brush. No matter how important it is. It raises a concern and raises your chances of getting an infection. For makeup items that are used for eyes, make sure that you do not share or borrow them from anyone. These makeup items can cause you infection which can lead to watery eyes or even bigger concerns for you.
Home remedies for watery eyes
There are the following home remedies that can be effective for watery eyes;-
Tea bag for watery eyes
Using tea bags can be an effective home treatment for watery eyes.
Keep tea bags in warm water for a few minutes. Once the tea bag has warmed up, place it on the eyes. This will relieve your eyes and will help you in storing hydration for the eyes.
Baking soda as watery eyes remedy
You can make an eye wash solution for watery eyes at home.
To make one, dissolve 1 teaspoonful of baking soda in a cup of water. Rinse the eyes with the solution 2-3 times per day or as needed.
Saltwater natural remedy for watery eyes
Irritation and itchiness often accompany watery eyes. If that is the case, use water and salt to cure itchy eyes at home. Salt being an antibacterial agent kills bacteria and flushes toxins out of your eyes. Repeat several times a day for 3 days.
Coconut oil remedy for watery eyes
We are all aware of how good a moisturizer coconut oil is. Rubbing it around your eyes provides soothing relief to the eyes
Warm compression for watery eyes
A heat compress can help warm compresses and may soothe eyes by reducing the blockages that cause the eyes if the eyes are sore, infected, or irritated. They can also help relieve dry eye symptoms.
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