Watery eyes are a very annoying symptom of overproduction of tears. The cause is to be found in several factors, from allergies to bacterial infections. Regardless of the irritant, there are several techniques that can stop excessive tearing. The most common remedies consist in limiting contact with environmental factors causing eye irritation (such as dust, pollen, pollutants, make-up), but also in washing the area around the eyes, rinsing the eyes with water, applying eye drops and using warm compresses. If they are not effective, consult your doctor because he will be able to make a precise diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. However, remember that there are also some preventative measures, such as wearing protective lenses, wearing sunglasses, and not sharing makeup and cosmetics.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Relieve Irritation
Step 1. Gently rinse the eye with water if there is a foreign body or any particle
It is normal for the eye to water when something gets inside. Use the water to try to remove the foreign body by keeping your eyes open under a gentle stream of warm running water. You can also do this in the shower by dropping water on your forehead and keeping your eyes open as it flows down your face. Alternatively, you can take advantage of an emergency eye wash kit or a portable eye wash system.
- Do not pull out the foreign body with your fingers or with a pair of tweezers.
- See your doctor if you are sure you have something in your eye, but you can't get it out with water.
WarningDo not rub them if you have discomfort due to the presence of a foreign body, otherwise you risk damaging the cornea.
Step 2. Use eye drops or artificial tears if they are dry
Dry eyes can actually promote tearing. The eye drops moisten and lubricate the eyes, decreasing the production of tears. To use it, tilt your head back and pull your lower eyelid down with a fingertip. Keep the bottle at a distance of 2.5-5 cm from the eye, avoiding touching it with the tip of the dropper. Press the bottle so that the drops fall into the open eye and repeat the operation 2 or 3 times.
- You can buy the eye drops at the pharmacy.
- Follow the instructions on the package to find out how often you need to apply it.
Step 3. Remove contact lenses
Try removing them if your eyes continue to water. These corrective devices can worsen the situation and even inhibit the action of the eye drops. Consult your eye doctor if you think they are associated with the problem of excessive tearing.
- Follow her instructions for cleaning and maintaining contact lenses. If you use disposable ones, do not wear them more than once and always throw them away after use.
- Never sleep with lenses in your eyes, unless your eye doctor has given you their consent.
- Don't wear them when you shower or swim.
Step 4. Make a compress to relieve eye irritation
First, take off your make-up and wash your face by cleaning the eye area. Then, put a clean cloth under warm or hot water and wring it out to get rid of the excess water. Lie down or take a seat in an armchair and place the cloth over your closed eyes. Keep it for 5-10 minutes.
- Repeat the treatment 3-4 times a day to soothe sore eyes.
- Warm compresses help remove encrusted secretions from the eyes and at the same time weaken anything that threatens to clog the tear channels. Additionally, they are able to relieve the redness and irritation that often accompany excessive tearing.
Part 2 of 3: See Your Doctor
Step 1. Learn about antihistamines for allergic watery eyes
This class of drugs helps relieve eye irritation caused by allergies. See your doctor for a clear diagnosis and whether antihistamines are right for your problem.
The most common antihistamine is sold in capsules and its active ingredient is diphenhydramine; it is usually taken orally. Follow the instructions in the package insert regarding how to take it
Step 2. Ask your doctor if you need to take an antibiotic if you have a bacterial eye infection
If you see your ophthalmologist about the problem of excessive tearing, they may prescribe an antibiotic if they suspect a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections respond well to this class of drugs, but if the cause is a virus, they may not prescribe anything and invite you to wait a week to see if the situation improves.
In these cases, the most commonly used antibiotic is tobramycin. It is a drug in the form of eye drops specially formulated for eye infections. Use it as directed by your doctor. Usually, it is applied by instilling 1 drop into the affected eye 2 times a day, for 7 days - once in the morning and once in the evening before bedtime.}
adviseThick secretions are usually a symptom of a bacterial infection, while thicker secretions, similar to the consistency of mucus, can indicate a viral infection.
Step 3. Consider whether the medications you are taking are causing the excessive tearing
Some medications have this symptom among their side effects. Read the package leaflets of the medicines you are taking and, if in doubt, ask your doctor for more information. If it is a long-term side effect that is contemplated in your drug therapy, consider changing it with your doctor. Do not discontinue treatment without first consulting his opinion. Here are some medicines that cause this disorder:
- Epinephrine;
- Chemotherapy;
- Anticholinergics;
- Some pilocarpine and iodide ecothiopate eye drops.
Step 4. Discuss other possible causes with your doctor
There is a wide range of conditions that can lead to excessive tearing. If you have not been able to trace the origin of this disorder, see your doctor. Here are some diseases that can cause it:
- Allergic conjunctivitis;
- Allergic rhinitis;
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids);
- Occlusion of the lacrimal canals;
- Cold;
- Ingrown eyelashes;
- Conjunctivitis;
- Hay fever
- Sty;
- Infection of the lacrimal canals.
Step 5. Learn about procedures for tear canal stenosis
If the frequent tearing is due to an obstruction or narrowing of the tear ducts, you probably need irrigation, intubation, or surgery to clear the ducts. These solutions are only necessary if other methods of clearing the lacrimal apparatus have not been effective or if the disorder is chronic. Among the therapeutic procedures consider:
- Dilation of the tear dot: If the tears do not drain properly through the tear canals, dilation can be done. The ophthalmologist will apply a local anesthetic to the eye to be treated. Then he will insert a special instrument (dilator) into the tear dot in order to widen it and allow the passage of tears.
- Stent insertion or intubation: During this surgical procedure, the ophthalmologist inserts a thin tube into both tear canals to dilate the opening and thus facilitate the escape of tears. The tubes can remain in place for about three months. This surgery is performed electively under general anesthesia (local anesthesia is also possible).
- Dacryocystorhinostomy: This is a surgical procedure that is used when less invasive methods do not lead to the desired results. The surgeon creates a new drainage channel using the existing lacrimal sac in the nose. It is performed under general or local anesthesia.
Part 3 of 3: Protect Your Eyes
Step 1. Protect your eyes from foreign bodies and particles with special protective lenses
When working with chemicals, power tools, or in particulate-saturated environments (such as sawdust), always wear safety goggles or a suitable mask. If a residue gets trapped in the eye, it can promote tearing. These devices also protect you from small or large objects that could hit your eyeball and injure it.
You can buy them at a hardware store. Choose a pair that will protect your eyes from all sides
Step 2. Use sunglasses
They protect the visual apparatus from the aggressive action of UV rays which risks favoring tearing. In addition, they are able to defend the eyes from dust and debris carried by the wind.
Before putting on your sunglasses, remember to clean them and eliminate any particles that may have accumulated on the lenses
Step 3. Turn on an air purifier to reduce the action of environmental irritants
This device is able to filter the air, eliminating dust and other potentially irritating substances. Try placing it in a central area of the house and turn it on during the day, or put it in the bedroom and use it at night.
It can be especially useful if you suffer from domestic allergies due, for example, to dust or animal hair
Step 4. Thoroughly remove make-up from your eyes or avoid wearing make-up altogether
Avoid using eyeliner and any cosmetics that apply to the inner rim of the eye. Products intended for eye make-up can cause irritation. Also, if you don't remove your makeup meticulously, there is a risk that it will clog the tear channels in the immediate vicinity of the lash roots.
Wash your face with a mild cleanser, then pat your eyes with a washcloth to remove any makeup residue
Warning: Avoid sharing eye makeup or using similar products that have come into contact with other people's eyes.
Advice
Be careful when throwing away tissues and wipes used to clean your eyes. Avoid other people coming into contact with these contaminated items because, if you have a bacterial or viral infection, it could spread
Warnings
- If your eyes don't stop watering, see your doctor. It could be a viral or bacterial infection.
- Until your eyes stop watering, avoid any activity that requires a good perception of visual stimuli, such as driving. This disorder could complicate or make dangerous any action that requires visual acuity.
- Do not use perfumes, hair sprays and other perfumed spray products. They can make your eyes water.
