Watering Eyes

When tears flow from our eyes, it is often a sign of joy or sadness. By crying, we express our feelings and feel relieved in many ways afterwards. But what if our eyes water without us crying? There are many causes of watery eyes. Often the eye is irritated beforehand, for example by dust and fine granules, inflammation, pollen or animal hair, or clogged tear ducts. Through the subsequent flow of tears, our body tries to contain the damage to the eye. The enzymes in the tear fluid protect against infection and prevent bacteria from multiplying.

Tear fluid protects the eyes

Tears serve to protect the eyes. First and foremost, the tear film prevents the eyes from drying out and flushes foreign bodies out of the eye. In addition, the film serves as a lubricant for our eyelids and provides an ideal barrier to the atmosphere, making sharp vision possible in the first place. In addition to proteins, glucose and saline, the tear fluid contains enzymes to defend against bacteria. Tear fluid is formed in the lacrimal gland. This releases the tear fluid to the surface of the eye. Within the inner corner of the eye are the openings of the lacrimal tubules. They are responsible for carrying away the tear fluid. Recognize eye diseases: These pictures will help!

Causes of watery eyes

Causes of watery eyes are often disorders in the function of the eyelids or the tear organs. Furthermore, increased tear production and blocked or altered tear ducts can lead to watery eyes. The following triggers can cause the eyes to water briefly:

  • Yawning causes the tear glands to empty all at once by stretching the eyelids. The excess of tear flow causes watery eyes for a short time.
  • When we laugh hard, the nervous system activates our tear glands. The excess of tears then causes watery eyes.
  • Small injuries such as scratches on the cornea can be caused by grains, dust, pollen or hairs. The eye responds by increasing tear production. The proteins and enzymes in the tear fluid support healing.

External factors as a cause of watery eyes.

External factors can also cause watery eyes. For example, if there is a foreign body in the eye, it reacts with increased tear secretion to flush the foreign body out of the eye. Likewise, even a cool breeze can cause the eyes to start tearing. This causes the tear film to evaporate and the eyes to dry out. To counteract the dryness, the eye produces excessive amounts of fluid. Dry eyes can also be caused by poor air or contact lenses. If the period of dry eyes lasts for some time, the eye creates an excess of tear fluid and permanently secretes tears. Furthermore, poorly fitted glasses can cause the eye to have to concentrate harder to see something. Under certain circumstances, this can result in an increased flow of tears. Similarly, computer work is a great strain on the eyes. When working at the PC for a longer period of time, people hardly look into the distance. Therefore, the eye cannot meet the demands made on it by constantly looking at the near screen in the long term. Tear flow is then a possible reaction of the eye.

Teary eyes: diseases as a cause

If watery eyes last longer than one day, the cause is in most cases linked to a disease. In such cases, it is advisable to seek treatment from a doctor. Possible disease-related triggers for watery eyes may include:

  • Allergy: In an allergy such as hay fever, allergens in the nose cause an inflammatory reaction that often extends to the eyes. These respond with an increased flow of tears to heal.
  • Cold: During a cold, the mucous membranes swell. As a result, they prevent the tear duct from draining the tear fluid, which usually leads to excess tears draining through the lower eyelid.
  • Improper tear composition: the lack of proteins and enzymes can lead to infection, which promotes watery eyes.
  • Age-related changes: The muscles and supporting connective tissue around the eyelids and tear organs become increasingly slack, so that the outflow of tears can no longer be regulated so well.In this case, the tear fluid accumulates on the lower eyelid and runs out of the eye.
  • Diabetes mellitus: an elevated level of sugar in the blood can temporarily alter the blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to a temporary decrease in visual acuity. This in turn causes watery eyes. Once blood sugar levels are in balance, the retina recovers and the watering of the eyes subsides.

Accompanying symptoms of watery eyes

Tears eyes are often accompanied by other complaints. For example, if there is a foreign body in the eye, it begins to burn and itch. There may also be a scratchy feeling in the eye. With irritated and watery eyes, it is also not uncommon for the eyes to hurt, the eyelids to become swollen, and for pressure to build up on the eyes. These complaints then trigger other accompanying symptoms such as sensitivity to light or impaired vision.

What to do about watery eyes?

Especially when watery eyes are caused by dryness of the conjunctiva, those affected can often take measures themselves to alleviate the complaint. It is advisable to ventilate frequently and spend a lot of time in the fresh air. Sufferers should avoid bad air such as smoke and drafts. You should also make sure to rinse your eyes with clear water more often than usual. When working at the computer, sufferers can alleviate the discomfort by frequently looking into the distance. Watery eyes in contact lens wearers can be triggered by improper lens handling. Lens wearers should therefore ensure that they clean their lenses thoroughly and take frequent breaks from wearing them. If the symptoms do not subside, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist or optician. Tears are often wiped from the eyes with handkerchiefs. Care should be taken to always use a fresh handkerchief so as not to introduce bacteria into the eyes. Those affected should also wash their hands regularly. This can, for example, minimize the risk of infection in conjunctivitis or prevent additional contamination of the eye.

When to see a doctor?

If the watery eyes persist for several days and weeks, it is advisable to see a doctor. This can find out the actual reason for the watery eyes and thus prevent worse such as vision damage and examine affected persons for possible diseases. To bring tear production back into balance, the doctor may also prescribe eye drops. 12 Home remedies for dry eyes