When you yawn sleepily or laugh out loud, you may feel your eyes water. This is normal and nothing to worry about. However, if your eyes are constantly watering or accompanied by other bothersome symptoms, it may be a sign of a problem.
So, why if the eyes keep watering, and can it be overcome? Here’s the answer.
What causes watery eyes?
Tears actually have benefits for eye health. One of its main functions is to protect the surface of the eye and prevent foreign bodies from entering the eye.
So, don’t be surprised if tears come out immediately when your eyes are covered with foreign objects.
While watery eyes are normal, they can become a problem if your eyes produce too many tears or the tears don’t drain properly.
Especially if this complaint is accompanied by a change in vision, pain, a lump near the tear duct, or a feeling of a lump in your eye, this is a sign that you need to pay attention.
Here are some of the causes of your watery eyes that you need to know.
1. Allergies
Eye allergies, or also known as allergic conjunctivitis, can occur when the body is exposed to allergens (smoke, mites, dust, animal dander, pollen, or certain foods).
This condition can cause the eyes to experience redness, itching, and tears.
Allergic reactions in the eyes are the result of a substance in the body called histamine, which is a substance produced when the body comes into contact with an allergen.
2. Dry eyes
Excessive tearing is the body’s response that detects dry eye conditions.
Ultimately, the brain instructs the tear glands to overproduce tears in an attempt to protect your eyes.
3. Tear ducts are blocked
Blocked tear ducts or ducts that are too narrow are the most common causes of watery eyes.
The tear ducts function to channel the tears produced in the tear glands over the entire surface of your eye.
If this channel is blocked or narrowed, your tears will accumulate and form tear bags, which can cause your eyes to water.
4. Problems with the cornea
One of the most common problems with the cornea is keratitis. This condition occurs when there is an injury or inflammation of the cornea. Keratitis is generally caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
According to the website of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, keratitis is accompanied by symptoms of watery eyes, dryness, pain, redness, a lumpy sensation in the eyes, and more sensitivity to light.
Apart from keratitis, the cornea is also prone to scratches, or what is known as a corneal abrasion. The cornea has a lot of nerve cells, so you may experience eye pain that is quite intense, in addition to symptoms of watery eyes.
5. Problems with the eyelids
Problematic eyelids can also affect your tear production. One of them is ectopion or entropion.
Entropion is a condition where the eyelid skin turns upside down or folds inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the eyeball.
Meanwhile, ectropion is a condition when the eyelids are turned outward, so that the edges do not touch the eyeball.
Other eyelid disorders, such as a stye, can also cause watery eyes.
6. Eye infection
Eye infections such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and other infections can cause watery eyes.
This is a natural reaction of your immune system to fight germs, bacteria, viruses or parasites that cause the infection.
7. Ingrown eyelashes
Trichiasis is a condition when the eyelashes that should grow outwards instead grow towards the inside of the eye.
As a result, eyelashes can scratch the cornea, conjunctiva, and inner surface of the eyelids. It is these scratches that can cause eye irritation and watery symptoms.
8. Presence of autoimmune disease
Other health conditions in your body can also affect your eyes, for example, autoimmune diseases such as Bell’s palsy. This disease is caused by disorders of the nervous system in the facial muscles.
In this condition, one or part of your face is paralyzed. As a result, it is difficult for the eyelids to close properly and causes the eyes to experience symptoms of dryness, irritation, and blurry vision.
9. Old age
The condition of watery eyes is also commonly experienced by people who are entering their old age.
Unlike tears that come out when laughing or yawning, watery eyes in the elderly usually occur continuously.
The meibomian glands, which are behind the eyelids, are responsible for producing an oily substance to help keep the eyes lubricated.
When the meibomian glands experience inflammation or what is known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), the eyes cannot be lubricated optimally.
Finally, dry eye conditions will automatically increase tear production.
Not only that, as you get older, the condition of the lower eyelid usually decreases.
This makes it difficult for tears to flow in the right path to the tear holes (puncta) so that tears accumulate and look like water.
How to deal with watery eyes?
In many cases, watery eyes generally don’t need special treatment because they can get better on their own.
However, this condition can also be a sign of a serious eye problem, requiring special treatment.
To help deal with your condition, here are some things you can do.
1. Use eye drops according to your condition. For example, if your watery eyes are caused by dry eyes, you can use artificial tears. If triggered by allergies, use drops containing antihistamines.
2. Avoid allergy triggers, such as dust or animal dander. Keep your home clean so you can avoid annoying allergens.
3. Wear sunglasses to block UV radiation rays when doing activities outside the home, especially if your condition is caused by keratitis.
4. If you experience sore and watery eyes due to a stye, compress your eyelids with warm water for 5-10 minutes. Repeat this step 3-5 times a day.
5. Avoid holding or even rubbing your eyes.
Consulting a doctor can also help you get the appropriate treatment.
For example, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to treat watery eyes caused by conjunctivitis or other bacterial infections.