Nearly everyone has experienced watery eyes at some point in their lives. Your eyes might water when you’re outside on a windy day, or when you’re chopping onions in the kitchen. But did you know watery eyes are also a sign of dry eye syndrome? It might sound strange, but it’s true. Keep reading to learn why this happens and what you can do about it.
Understanding dry eye syndrome
Dry eye is when your eyes don’t make enough tears, or your tears aren’t the best quality. This can cause discomfort like burning, stinging, redness, and, of course, dryness. You might think that dry eye only makes your eyes feel dry, but sometimes the opposite happens. When your eyes get too dry, they may start producing more tears to compensate for the lack of moisture. As a result, your eyes might water constantly, which can be frustrating and affect your daily life.
How to treat dry eye syndrome
While there’s no cure for dry eye syndrome, treatment can help manage your symptoms and improve your overall eye health. The first step is to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor, who can diagnose your condition and provide personalized dry eye treatment in Albuquerque. Depending on the severity and cause of your dry eye, our doctor might recommend:
- Artificial tears: These are eye drops that act like natural tears. They can help keep your eyes moisturized and healthy.
- Prescription medications: Our doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation in your tear glands and improve tear production.
- Punctal plugs: These are small plugs that our doctor can insert into your tear ducts to prevent tears from draining away. This can keep your eyes moist for longer and reduce dryness.
- Lifestyle changes: We might also suggest making changes to your diet, drinking more water, or using a humidifier to improve your eye health and minimize dryness.
Other causes of watery eyes
Dry eyes may be an unexpected cause for watery eyes, but it’s not the only cause. Other factors like allergies, conjunctivitis, and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) can also contribute to excessive tearing. That’s why it’s important to see an optometrist who can find out what’s causing your symptoms and suggest the right treatment.
In conclusion, watery eyes may not always be what they seem. Our eye doctor in Albuquerque, New Mexico specializes in diagnosing and treating many eye conditions, including dry eye. We can pinpoint the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend treatment to help you get relief. If you’re experiencing watery eyes or any other eye issues, contact us to schedule an appointment.