Watery eyes

Watery eyes are very annoying and can affect you at any time of the day. The small glands of the mucous membrane and of the eyelid margins produce tear fluid and this protects the cornea against drying out. The tear gland, located under the upper eyelid, responds to emotion or eye irritation and produces extra tear fluid. After each blink, the tear fluid is drained through two tear ducts to the tear ducts, tear sac and ultimately ends up in our nasal tear duct.

Causes

• Irritation occurs due to a speck of dirt in the eye or a hair that rubs against the eye.
• The tear points are not in the right place or are clogged.
• Sagging of the eyelid and weakening of the sphincter muscles of the eyelids. This often occurs in older people.
• Blockage of the tear duct, tear sac and/or tear-nasal duct due to inflammation or a congenital defect.
• Due to dehydration, the cornea becomes irritated and produces excessive tears in response. This is then very watery.
• Congenital defect in a baby, in which 99% of cases recover spontaneously during the first year of life.

Research

The ophthalmologist or optometrist examines the tear fluid, paying attention to its composition, quantity and lubrication. The cornea is also assessed, which can be done by staining the tear fluid. The tear points are examined to see whether they are open and in the right place and how much tear fluid you produce can be measured. The tear points are examined to see if they are open and in the correct position, and the quality of the tear fluid can be measured.