Watery eyes: causes, symptoms and treatment

Watery Eyes - Symptoms and Treatment | Recetas Medicas

Watery eyes are a common problem that can affect people of all ages, but are most common in babies and people over 60. It can be due to many different things, including colds, allergies and various eye diseases. The condition can be both annoying and cause trouble in everyday life, but there are several ways to treat watery eyes and relieve the symptoms. Here we go through the most common causes of watery eyes, which other symptoms often occur at the same time and how you can treat and prevent problems.

Fast help within 15 minutes

Do you have eye problems? With us at Recetas Medicas, you can get a quick and easy assessment online, regardless of whether it's about vagus, eyelid inflammation, eye inflammation, dry or red eyes. By answering a few questions and uploading a picture, you can receive a diagnosis and treatment without the need for a video call or a physical visit. We help you with the right care and treatment right away.

What are watery eyes?

Tears are constantly forming in small glands under the eyelids. The tear fluid helps keep the surface of the eye clean and moist, while water, oils and antibodies in the tears protect the eye against dirt and bacteria. After the tears have moistened the surface of the eye, they collect at the inner corners of the eyes and drain through the tear ducts to the lacrimal sacs, and then empty into the nasal cavity. This happens all the time without us thinking about it. But if the small channels that are supposed to take care of the tears are blocked, or if the tears can't drain away as they should, they instead collect and flow over the edge of the eye. Watery eyes can also be due to increased tear flow due to irritation, such as exposure to bright light, cold wind or foreign particles. Then the eye reacts by producing extra tears to wash away the irritant.

It is not unusual for the eyes to temporarily produce more tears in response to irritation, cold or wind, but if the eyes are continuously watering, even under normal conditions, it may indicate an underlying problem.

Causes of watery eyes

There are many potential causes of watery eyes, such as:

• Age: The tear duct becomes less elastic with age, so it is common for the eyes to water more often as you get older. Babies can also have problems with watery eyes. Then it is usually due to narrow tear ducts. The tear duct opens in the vast majority by itself during the child's first year of life.
• Cold or allergy: When the body reacts to allergens, such as pollen, the eyes may start to water as a defense to wash away the irritant.
• Dry eyes: Paradoxically, dry eyes can lead to increased tear production. Dry eye can irritate, causing the eyes to produce more tears to compensate.
• Eye inflammation and conjunctival catarrh: Inflammation in the eye, eyelid or surrounding areas can lead to increased tear flow.
• Eyelid problems: Inward or outward-turned eyelids can interfere with the normal distribution of tear fluid and thus cause watery eyes.
• Blocked tear ducts: If the tear ducts are blocked, the tears cannot drain normally, resulting in watery eyes.

Symptoms of watery eyes

In addition to the primary symptom – an increased tear flow – people with watery eyes may also experience:

• Pain or burning in the eye
• Gravel eyes
• Sticky discharge in the eye
• Red and sore eyelid edges

Treatment of watery eyes

Watery eyes are often a temporary problem that does not require treatment but goes away on its own. If you have long-term or recurring problems, you may sometimes receive treatment, depending on what is causing the problems. If your watery eyes are caused by a blockage in the tear duct, in rare cases you may need to undergo minor surgery to widen it.

Self-care, preventive measures and home remedies

When you have watery eyes, there are several things you can do yourself to relieve the discomfort:

• Cleansing: Regularly cleaning the eye area with lukewarm water can help reduce irritation and inflammation.
• Eye drops: If you have watery eyes due to dry eyes or allergies, you can try using non-prescription eye drops that can be bought from pharmacies or opticians.
• Allergy tablets: Over-the-counter allergy tablets can also be effective against watery eyes caused by allergic conditions.
• Protection from the elements: Wearing glasses or sunglasses when outdoors in wind or cold can help reduce tear production.

There are also several things you can do to reduce the risk of watery eyes. Here are some tips:

• Avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent irritation and the spread of bacteria.
• Use air purifiers indoors to reduce the amount of allergens.
• Rinse eyes with clean water to remove any irritating particles.
• Use a humidifier to counteract dry indoor air, which can irritate the eyes.
• Maintain good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infections that can cause watery eyes.
• If you think your watery eyes are caused by an allergy, it's important to identify and avoid the allergen if possible.

When should I seek care?

Watery eyes are usually not an emergency condition and if you only have temporary problems, treatment is rarely needed. Contact the health center if any of the following apply:

• If you have persistent or recurring problems that do not improve with self-care.
• If you have watery eyes in combination with other symptoms such as pain, vision changes, or severe redness in the eye.
• If a child who is over one year old still has problems with watery eyes due to narrow tear ducts.

Watery eyes – a harmless but sometimes troublesome condition

Watery eyes are a common condition that can be caused by a number of different factors, such as allergies, colds and eye diseases. Identifying the underlying cause is important so you can get the right treatment. By taking preventive measures and using appropriate treatment methods, most people can manage their symptoms effectively. If the problem persists or if you are unsure of the cause of your symptoms, it is important to seek medical care for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get blurred vision from watery eyes?

Yes, watery eyes can temporarily blur vision because the excess tears interfere with the passage of light through the eye.

Can you stop watery eyes with a cold?

Using appropriate eye drops and drinking plenty of water can sometimes reduce the symptoms of watery eyes during a cold, but it does not always eliminate the problem completely.

Can pollen make my eyes water?

Yes, pollen is a common cause of allergic reactions, which can cause the eyes to become irritated and watery as a reaction to the allergen.