Watering from the eyes may occur due to various reasons.
Watering from the eyes can be a troublesome problem often needing one to keep wiping the eye and sometimes interfering with vision as the eyes get filled with tears .
Tears are formed in the tear glands ; they moisten the eye and during blinking movements are pumped through tiny openings (puncti) at the inner corners of the eyes into the tear ducts which drain them into the nose to be eliminated from the body .
Watering which is constant or long standing or associated with other symptoms such as redness, discharge, pain or decreased eyesight needs to be investigated properly .
Causes of watering can be broadly divided into 2 groups :
1. Excessive tear secretion into the eye by the tear glands and ,
2. Inadequate drainage of tears from the eye by the tear ducts.
Excessive tear secretion may occur in response to irritation or in diseases involving the eyes :
>A foreign particle or eyelash on surface of the eye or inner surface of the eyelid, eye injuries or scratched corneas (corneal abrasions) .
>Eyelashes growing inwards (trichiasis) and rubbing against the eye surface or even the lower lid turning inwards so that the eyelashes rub against the eye surface.
>Not wearing glasses despite having a number or wearing wrong power spectacles may cause eyestrain and watering.
>Eyelashes rubbing against the spectacle lenses due to spectacles being placed too close may cause watery eyes with some discomfort.
>Infections on the eye surface such as on the cornea (keratitis, corneal ulcer) or on the white of the eye (conjunctivitis) or on the eyelids (stye, chalazion, blepharitis, meibomitis) or inflammation in the eye (uveitis).
>Although it feels paradoxical excessive tear secretion can also occur due to dry eye, which may also be caused by excessive or prolonged screen use or unhealthy reading habits.
>The eye may not close completely during blinks or during sleep as in facial palsy which may cause part of the eye surface to go dry (exposure keratopathy) and there may be reflex watering.
>Eye allergies to pollen, dust, chemicals or even some eyedrops as well as allergic colds can cause irritation and watering.
The 2nd group of causes involves interference with the drainage of tears out of the eye through the tear ducts …
>There may be looseness of the eyelids (lid laxity) or outward turning of the lower eyelid (ectropion) due to age or facial palsy or floppy lid syndrome . This may interfere with the pumping mechanism or cause the tear duct openings (puncti) to lose their close contact with the eyeball and tear lake.
>There may be a narrowing or blockage of the drainage system at any site from the puncti to the tear ducts ; such a blockage may occur due to:
.Age and is generally more common in women ,
.Chronic eyelid infections (blepharitis) or following viral conjunctivitis ,
.Long term use of eyedrops such as some anti glaucoma medications (timolol, betoxalol).
.Chronic sinus disease, tumors in the nose, trauma, chemical injury, burns as well as anticancer medications such as 5fluorouracil or docetaxel.
.Some skin diseases which cause scarring in the eye tissues such as Steven Johnsons syndrome, pemphigoid etc.
To effectively treat the problem of watering a thorough and systematic sequential assessment including the history and examination as well as appropriate tests is necessary.
Such an examination would include a detailed eye examination to detect any of the previously mentioned causes as well as an evaluation of the drainage system
Important cornerstone for evaluation would be study of conjunctival cytology via a simple swab test .
Treatment will depend upon the cause and associated conditions if any , for example:
Removal of inturned eyelashes , treatment of eye surface infection ,correction of lid diseases etc.
Blockage in the drainage system such as narrowing of the puncti or obstruction in the tear ducts will usually require some procedures to open the passages for eg. flushing of the tear ducts with saline solution to rinse away the blockage or procedures to widen the openings (puncti) of the tear ducts.
Additionally some simple measures may be advised to give relief from the watering .
It is natural to have watery eyes sometimes when you are crying or laughing ,on exposure to breeze or fumes or after eating spicy food.
But if you feel like your eyes are watery all the time or associated with other symptoms like redness, pain, swelling near the eyes, decreased eyesight or discharge from the eyes contact us for a thorough evaluation and proper treatment.
Absolutely love how understanding Dr. Kumud Raut is. The only place where I have not been told about only the process of getting a surgery, but rather they insist on educating about how the eye functions and the importance of having a healthy eye before any surgery.
A
Anupama Naidu
2023-02-02
This is the best eye clinic ever. It's amazing how every staff is so caring. The faculty is simply top class and Dr. Aditya Raut is the best. His treatment is par excellence, but even more than more than that, he is a great human being.
A
Atharva Badhade
2023-02-05
Excellent doctor! We are extremely happy and satisfied with the treatment ,the concern and friendly staff, very caring attitude of all!! Your are half cured even before the treatment starts!! The cleanliness and precautions are also upto the mark!!Recommending to all , family and friends!!
P
Preeti Gosavi
2023-01-10
My cataract surgery is done by Dr Rajeev Raut. I am very satisfied with my surgery. Dr. Bhargav is an excellent doctor and is very calm and polite. I was also operated for my retina by Dr. Nilesh. He too is a great doctor. I am Very satisfied. And all the staff here is very cooperative and accommodating. Thanks
Google rating score: 4.9 of 5,based on 1038 reviews
