Tears are produced through the lacrimal glands to help lubricate your eyes and keep them healthy. As new tears are created, the old ones drain out of the eye through small openings in the eyelid (called puncta). They then pass into the lacrimal sac and through the tear duct. From here, the tears drain into the nose and throat, which is why our noses tend to run when we cry. If you suffer from excessive tearing, a condition known as epiphora, your lacrimal glands may be over-producing tears, or a blockage in the tear drainage system may be present.
At Virginia Eye Consultants, we can help you determine the underlying cause of your watery eyes and, therefore, the appropriate treatment method for alleviating the problem.
Causes of Excessive Tearing
Excessive tearing in adults can be persistent or sporadic, depending on the specific cause. There are several reasons why you may be experiencing the overabundance of tears, which may include
- Obstructed drainage path from injury, developmental issues, tumor, or infection
- Condition with the eyelids or eyelashes
- Glaucoma
- Reaction to certain medications
- Foreign material in the eye
- Environmental factors or allergies
- Eyestrain
- Dry eye syndrome
- Scratch on the surface of the eye
To determine why you may be suffering from excessive tearing, and select the most effective treatment, your eye doctor may do one or more of the following:
- Flush your tear drainage system with fluid to ensure the channel is clear
- Measure your tear production and/or eye pressure
- Conduct a fluorescent dye test to illuminate the draining process
- Perform a computerized tomography (CT) scan to locate a potential obstruction
Treatment for Excessive Tearing
Once the cause of your excessive tearing has been established, your doctor can determine which of the following solutions may provide the best outcome for your eye health:
- Ointment or drops to help lubricate the eyes
- Treatment for dry eye syndrome
- Removing foreign material in the eye
- Correcting a blocked or injured drainage system with surgery
- Creating a new opening between the lacrimal sac and the nose
- Inserting an artificial tear duct
Contact Virginia Eye Consultants
If you suffer from excessive tearing and wish to find an effective treatment for the problem, please contact our practice today.