Watery eyes

Given current lifestyles, we spend most of our time using near vision to read, work on the computer, look at our mobile phones, etc. different situations in which we “forget” to blink (we do so around half the number of times as with distant vision). As a result of less blinking, the tears are not correctly spread over the whole surface of the eye and the eye becomes dry, activating the production of small quantities of tear secretion to make up for the problem. Given that the tear’s response does not remain for long enough on the eye to correct the problem of dryness, it continues to produce tears, which end up overflowing and causing watery eyes.

The location of a blocked tear duct will determine the importance of solving the subsequent water eye problem. If the patient has a high blockage, i.e. in the lacrimal canaliculi (small ducts located on the eyelids), this is often merely a bothersome problem because of permanent watery eyes. However, when the blockage is lower and is located after the lacrimal sac, this may become infected due to the accumulation of tears and lead to dacryocystitis (inflammation of the lacrimal sac). This could eventually generate more serious problems, such as orbital cellulitis (infection of the fat and muscles around the eye).

Watery eyes may be more or less bothersome depending on each patient, but it is important to consult a specialist especially when watery eyes are associated to red eyes, pain and/or secretion. It should also be checked when a problem is no longer occasional and becomes permanent.

When the quality or the quantity of tears is not good –within a certain range– the body reacts and stimulates the secretion of tears as a protective measure. A circle is started: the eye perceives that it is dry and produces a little tear secretion, although because this is still not enough and does not solve the problem, it perceives it is dry again and produces a little more. This continues until the capacity of the tear drainage system is exceeded, leading to watery eyes.

Therefore, the use of artificial tears in patients with dry eye mostly solves the watery eye problem, as the eye is correctly lubricated and the balance is re-established.

To a greater or lesser extent, conjunctivitis is often associated with watery eyes, as the production of tears – responsible for “cleaning” the eye’s surface – increases like a defence mechanism for the body against any of the factors causing the disorder (virus, bacteria, mites, pollen, chlorine from swimming pools, etc.).