Watery eyes
Tears are needed to lubricate and nourish the surface of your eyes, wash away particles and irritants, protect against infection and provide stable vision. However, if your body is producing more tears than usual, or your eyes are unable to drain your tears properly, you may have watery eyes (otherwise known as epiphora). Watery eyes aren鈥檛 harmful, but they can be irritating and uncomfortable 鈥� especially if they bother you throughout the day.
What causes watery eyes?
The most likely cause of watery eyes is when the glands in your eyelids, which secrete an oily substance to slow the evaporation of tears, don鈥檛 function properly. This can result in dry eyes, which become irritated and produce extra tears as a reflex.
Other common causes of watery eyes include:
- overproduction of tears 鈥� due to an ingrown eyelash, entropion or ectropion (irritation caused by the eyelids turning in or out), infections and inflammation, foreign bodies, allergies, yawning, laughing, vomiting, or eye strain
- obstruction of tear ducts 鈥� due to a blockage of the tear canaliculi or nasolacrimal duct (which collects tears from the inner corner of each eye), a blockage or infection of the tear duct, or age-related reduced efficiency of the muscle pump
- conjunctivitis (inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva 鈥� the membrane lining the eyelids)
- polyps or other nasal conditions
- blepharitis (inflammation of the rims of the eyelids, also known as meibomian gland dysfunction)
- ageing, causing eyelid laxity meaning the tears are not pushed down the tear duct as efficiently as they were.
Watery eyes diagnosis
To diagnose watery eyes, your eye specialist will conduct a thorough eye exam. As part of this process, they might put coloured eye drops in your eyes to see how they drain. Usually, your tears would wash the drops and dye away from your eye in a few minutes. However, if this doesn鈥檛 happen, you may have a blocked tear duct.
To assess whether your watery eyes are definitely caused by a blocked tear duct, your eye specialist might perform a syringing of the tear duct with salty water, and possibly probe the tear duct, or even use an endoscope 鈥� a long, flexible tube with a light on the end 鈥� to look inside your nasal cavity. Alternatively, they may conduct some imaging tests, such as an X-ray or a CT scan.
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Watery eyes treatments
If your symptoms of watery eyes are relatively mild, a doctor may recommend monitoring your progress to see if they get better on their own before taking any further action.
However, if the symptoms do not clear up on their own or they get worse, there are a few different treatment options available:
- Lid massage with hot compresses 鈥� Use a microwavable eye mask or a face cloth dipped in hot water to soften and clean the oil glands opening just behind the eyelashes.
- Lubricating eye drops and ointments 鈥� Various options are available, and your consultant will advise you. They may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drops.
- Antibiotics 鈥� If your symptoms are due to bacterial conjunctivitis or inflamed oil glands, your doctor may recommend antibiotics in the form of eye drops or tablets.
- Removing foreign objects 鈥� If you have an ingrown eyelash or another foreign object in your eye, your doctor will carefully remove it.
- Dilating and probing the tear duct 鈥� If the drainage channels in your eyes are narrow but not blocked, the doctor may use a probe to widen them, often during your initial consultation.
- Surgery for blocked tear ducts 鈥� If the tear duct is completely blocked, your doctor may recommend dacryocystorhinostomy, a procedure to create a new channel from the tear sac to the inside of the nose, bypassing the blockage.
- Surgery for entropion or ectropion 鈥� If your eyelid turns inwards or outwards, a surgical procedure to tighten the tendon holding the eyelid in place may be necessary.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Eye surgeries on the eyelids to treat watery eyes are typically performed in the operating theatre under local anaesthetic as a day patient.
However, the dacryocystorhinostomy for a blocked tear duct is usually done under a general anaesthetic and your consultant will discuss with you whether they feel you can go home on the same day or require you to stay in hospital overnight. You will usually be advised to take a couple of weeks off work.
You may be given medication to take home and will be advised not to rub your eyes or blow your nose for the first two weeks after the operation.
If your symptoms of watery eyes are mild and not caused by a blocked tear duct or other more serious issue, you may be able to treat your condition at home.
Home remedies for epiphora include:
- Using eye drops to lubricate the eyes
- Taking regular breaks from reading, watching TV, or using the computer
- Holding a warm, damp cloth over the affected eye
- Massaging the eyelid to release any blockages
- Using a wipe to remove any dirt or debris from the eyes and eyelids
- Using over-the-counter medication to relieve allergy symptoms
- Avoiding irritants to see if your watery eyes get better without further intervention
However, if the issue persists, you should get in touch with AOA体育平台 Eye Centre to get booked in with an eye specialist who can diagnose what the underlying cause may be.