Watering Eyes
Watering Eyes
Excessive tearing, known as epiphora, can be attributed to various factors such as
allergies or viral infections (conjunctivitis), blocked tear ducts, and dry eye syndrome.
When an abundance of fluid accumulates or tears struggle to drain effectively through
the nasolacrimal system, it may lead to overflow onto the face. Discover the causes
behind watery eyes and find effective solutions for epiphora.
What is the reason for watering of eyes?
Watering from the eyes is one most common complaints, for which the patient seeks an eye doctor.
Watering can occur due to one of two reasons-
① Excessive secretions
② Inadequate drainage
Under normal conditions, there are 2 kinds of water secretions in the eye. One is called a basal secretion
which maintains our tear film and the other is the reflex secretion, which gets- activated by irritations in the eye or during emotional outbursts.
What is the reason for watering of eyes?
This is somewhat more Common, If any dust falls in the eye or if there is any cause of inflammation in the eye such as conjunctivitis or allergy can cause
watering. A dry eye due to deficiencies in the tear film or unstable tear film causing exposure of the eye surface can also cause reflex watering because
the eye surface is exposed in areas where tear film breaks up So in fact some forms of dry eye cause frequent watering.
Watering due to inadequate drainage
Normally, any tears or water in the eye move along the eyelid margins to the cornea of the eye where there are small openings to tubes that lead to a
naso-lacrimal duct which finally conducts tears into the nose and throat. But any irregularities in the mechanism can also lead to watering from the eye.
Lid margin watering
Since the tears flow along the lid margin, any abnormality in the lid margin such as inward tearing or outward tearing of the lid margin or lid that is
stretched due to sagging in the tissues due to old eye, can cause watering. Any block in the lacrimal tubes that conduct the tear into the nose can also
cause watering because tears flow out of the eye instead of going into the nose and throat. Sometimes when the tube opening the into the nose is
blocked, tears get collected in a small sac near the inner corner of the eye. These Stagnated tears can get infected and cause swelling pain and pus
discharge into the eye.
Uncorrected Refractive errors
Since the tears flow along the lid margin, any abnormality in the lid margin such as inward tearing or outward tearing of the lid margin or lid that is
stretched due to sagging in the tissues due to old eye, can cause watering. Any block in the lacrimal tubes that conduct the tear into the nose can also
cause watering because tears flow out of the eye instead of going into the nose and throat. Sometimes when the tube opening the into the nose is
blocked, tears get collected in a small sac near the inner corner of the eye. These Stagnated tears can get infected and cause swelling pain and pus
discharge into the eye.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Excessive Screen time can also cause watering from the eyes due to eyestrain or dry eyes. So Watering from the eyes needs to be evaluated properly so
that the underlying cause can be identified. If we can treat the cause, we can resolve the symptoms.