Watery eyes are a common condition, especially when yawning, laughing, or crying. However, this condition can also be caused by certain diseases. Therefore, it is important to know the cause of watery eyes so that appropriate treatment can be carried out.
Watery eyes occur when glands on the eyelids produce less tears to moisten the eye and get rid of foreign objects in it. In addition, the eyelids also have other glands that produce oil to prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.
Even though it looks light, you should not take watery eyes for granted. Moreover, if the watery eyes lasts continuously to interfere with daily activities, because it could be caused by certain medical conditions.
Causes of Watery Eyes
Watery eyes can occur when the glands that produce oil don't work properly. This makes the tears evaporate quickly and makes them dry faster.
It is this dry eye that stimulates excess tear production, causing watery eyes. Watery eyes can also occur due to a blockage in the tear ducts.
In addition, there are several other things that can cause watery eyes, namely:
- Weather or environmental factors, such as smoke, wind, or bright light
- Eyestrain
- Exposure to foreign bodies or chemicals in the eye
- Flu
- Allergy
- Inflammation of the eyelids
- Infections of the eye, eg conjunctivitis
- Eyelashes grow in or out
- Drug side effects
- Certain diseases, such as thyroid disorders, chronic, tumors, and Bell's palsy
- Radiation therapy side effects
Watery eyes are also associated with age. This condition is common in infants and people over the age of 60.
How to Overcome Watery Eyes
Most watery eyes don't need special treatment because they get better on their own. However, this condition can sometimes be a problem that interferes with activities and comfort, so it requires special treatment.
The following are some ways to deal with watery eyes according to the cause:
- To treat watery eyes due to swelling, compress the eye with a warm wet towel several times a day.
- To treat dry eyes, use eye drops.
- If watery eyes are caused by allergies, take antihistamines to relieve symptoms that appear.
- If watery eyes are caused by conjunctivitis or an eye infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
Medical measures can also be taken to treat watery eyes caused by ingrown eyelashes or removing foreign objects that enter the eye.
Watery eyes in infants are generally caused by blockage of the tear ducts. Usually, blocked tear ducts in babies will get better on their own without special treatment.
However, you can speed healing by massaging the tear duct with your index finger. Do a gentle massage on the side of the baby's nose bone, near the inner corner of his eye. Direct the massage towards the nostrils.
This massage can be done several times a day for several months. However, if this method is not effective for treating watery eyes in babies, surgery may be an option.
Watery eyes generally do not require medical treatment. However, if this condition interferes with daily activities or is accompanied by complaints of red eyes, severe coconut pain, to visual disturbances, immediately consult a doctor so that an appropriate examination and treatment can be carried out.