Your eyes are always making tears, but luckily, those tears aren’t always flowing. Extra-watery eyes can be the result of a myriad of causes, from inward-growing eyelashes to exposure to bright light. Here are some other culprits behind unwelcome watery eyes.
– Exposure to allergens or chemicals in the air
– Swelling along the edge of the eyelid
– Blockage of the tear duct
– Pink eye
– Eyelid turning inward or outward
– Something in the eye
– Scrape on the eye
– Infection
– Irritation
– Dry eyes
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine
At-Home Remedies
Most cases of watery eyes can be treated at home and are rarely an emergency. Some helpful at-home remedies include:
– Take an antihistamine allergy pill each day to prevent overreaction to pollen and other allergens.
– Use eye drops. Eye drops can lubricate dry eyes, easing discomfort and limitingthe production of excess tears.
– Soothe your eyes with a warm cloth. Make sure the cloth is damp and clean, then massage the eyelids to loosen any blockage of the glands around the eye.
When to Call a Doctor
Chances are, if your watery eyes need a doctor’s attention, you’ll be able to tell. Issues like severe pain, bleeding, or loss of vision call for a doctor, as do severe eye injuries or chemicals in the eye. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, less serious, but also potential needs for a doctor’s visit include a scratch on the eye, a foreign object in the eye, and excess discharge.
How Doctors Can Help
If your watery eyes lead you to the doctor’s office, some potential methods of treatment include:
A minor procedure to remove an inward-growing eyelash or a foreign object.
Surgery for blocked tear ducts.
Draining tears from the drainage channels, known as canaliculi.
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