Itchy, red or watering eyes – an embarrassing problem that can be easily treated
25 September 2018
Having watering eyes can be difficult, as well as embarrassing….
Yet in many cases the condition is treatable and can lead to a vastly improved quality of life - being able to read, play sport and socialise without having to look through a ‘curtain of tears’ or answer questions like “why are you crying all the time”!
If this sounds familiar to you, then it may be worth exploring treatment options that could stop these symptoms impacting your daily life.
There are many causes of watering eyes, and often simple remedies can control symptoms, without the need to resort to surgery. Common causes include Blepharitis (overproduction of oil by glands around the eyelids) can cause reflex watering (where the body tries to produce more tears to wash away the extra oil), Dry Eyes (where the body produces more water based tears which wash away quickly) or even over-wearing contact lenses.
In some people, there is a blockage in the drainage system of tears between the eye and the nose – which literally causes the tears to overflow over the eyelids. This can either be treated by a simple procedure to open up the tear draining holes. Blocked sinuses can also cause watering eyes, as the tear drainage system opens up inside the nose. This can often be treated with appropriate nasal sprays. In cases where the tear drainage system is completely obstructed, a new tear drainage system can be made to bypass any obstruction, although this does involve surgery.
Eyelid malposition - eyelids that are loose and are rotated inwards, so that the eyelashes rub against the eyeball (entropion) or that rotate outwards, so that the eyelid does not sit against the eyeball (ectropion), also cause the eyes to water. In both these cases, surgical correction of the eyelid position can improve the watering.
Watering eyes does not need to adversely affect your lifestyle. Simple measures can make all the difference..
To see a clearer future book in to see Miss Susan Sarangapani, Consultant Ophthalmologist on: 01582 714 420