Tears are a major part of your eyes’ protection and ability to function properly. They provide lubrication for your eyes and flush away dust or dirt from the surface. When we are upset or overjoyed, we produce tears as a form of nonverbal communication to let others know how we are feeling.
Tears are pretty handy, but when your eyes can’t stop watering, they can be more of a nuisance than a benefit. Your eyes can become watery as a result of a few different conditions. The following are most common reasons you can get watery eyes:
ALLERGIES MAKE YOUR EYES WATER
Certain reactions to things present in the air can cause your eyes to water for a prolonged period of time. Dust, pollen, or animal hair in the environment surrounding you may cause an allergic reaction, and your eyes will react by overproducing tears. Unlike tears caused by a foreign substance, such as smoke or fumes, these tears seem to never go away after you remove yourself from exposure.
Allergens cause your eyes to dry out and itch and burn, so the tears are your body’s attempt at combating this condition. If the allergy is minor, you may be able to treat it with over-the-counter medication or eye drops. If it is more serious, your doctor may prescribe stronger medication.
DRY-EYE SYNDROME LEADS TO WATERY EYES
Yes, you read that correctly. A condition called dry-eye syndrome actually can actually cause your eyes to become more watery. With dry-eye syndrome, your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or the quality of the tears is poor. If the condition is a result of the latter, your eyes will overproduce tears to make up for the poor quality.
Your tears are supposed to be a balanced mixture of water, mucus, minerals, and vitamins. If the balance is off, they will not perform properly. As a result, your eyes may begin to itch, burn, and turn red. To compensate, your body tries to produce more tears, which usually end up being a nuisance. Dry-eye syndrome can be treated by eye drops or a minor procedure performed by your optometrist.
WATERY EYES FROM INFECTION
Certain infections can spread to the surface of the eye and cause irritation, which causes your eyes to create more tears to wash the germs away. Two common illnesses that irritate your eye are conjunctivitis and blepharitis. Conjunctivitis, also known as Pinkeye, is caused by the buildup of bacteria, fungi, and/or viruses on the eye. Blepharitis is an infection of the eyelid. Both conditions can be treated by medication prescribed by your eye doctor.
Are your eyes watering and it doesn’t seem likely they will stop? Please contact Silverstein Eye Care Centers to make an appointment for an eye exam. We can serve you at our convenient location in Independence/Kansas City at (816) 358-3600.
Posted July 30, 2015 by Silverstein Eye Centers