Teary eyes, watery eyes, or epiphora are a condition wherein the eyes are full of water and can not control it for various reasons. While tears are essential for the eyes to keep them healthy and safe, an overwhelming quantity can often cause issues. This condition is prone in ages of under one year or that above 60 years. It usually happens in one eye, but rare cases have also shown teary eye infection in both eyes.
What happens when the eyes tear out excessively?
The glands under the upper eyelids excrete tears made of water and salt. Blinking our eyes makes them spread the tears in our eyes and lubricate them to avoid dust and allergies from entering. The other glands in the eyes prevent these tears from evaporating pretty fast so that they have enough time to lubricate.
These glands also help the eyes not spill the tears out of the lids. While teary eyes are usually self-treatable, if the condition lasts for a longer time, you must consult with an eye specialist. There are multiple eye specialist hospitals or eye specialties visiting multi-specialty hospitals like Huntingdon Valley teary eyes.
What causes teary eyes?
These are some of the causes of teary eyes:
- Dry eyes.
- Dust or mini stones.
- Weather conditions like heavy winds or extreme cold.
- Blepharitis, also called inflammation of the eye.
- Inward or outward turned eyelids.
- Ingrown eyelash.
- Cut near the eye.
- Side effects of specific medicals.
- Severe cold or fever.
- Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
- Conjunctivitis or subconjunctival hemorrhage.
When must one see a doctor?
As mentioned earlier, teary eyes treat themselves with time. However, sometimes if the situation persists, paying a visit to the doctor must be made mandatory. Check the below to see if you need to:
- Partial visual distractions
- Injury within the eye
- Interaction of chemicals with eyeball
- Bleeding within or out of the eye
- A stuck piece in your eye
- Swollen eye
- Pain around the eyes
- Bruising in or around the eye
- Sinus caused by eye irritation
- Eye and headaches
- Worsening eye-watering situation
What are the treatments associated with teary eyes?
Teary eyes, when treated by a doctor, are usually done in two ways after diagnosing its severity. If the severity is lower, the doctor will usually prescribe eye drops, flushing eyes with rose water, cold water, or applying cold packs over the eyes or allergy medications.
However, if they are on the other end of severity, balloon DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy) and punctal plugs help treat the symptoms of teary eyes.