My eyes water and tears stream down my cheeks in the mornings or when there is a change of light or temperature. Why is that?
Watery eyes often mean dry eye
It might seem counterintuitive, but watery eyes are a common symptom of Dry Eye. When your tear make-up is imbalanced, your eyes may overproduce watery tears as a reflex to irritation. These reflex tears, however, lack the necessary components to hydrate and protect your eyes effectively, leading to a cycle of excessive tearing without relief.
The tear cycle
When your eyes detect dryness or irritation, your brain triggers reflex tearing to compensate. It’s the body’s way of trying to help, but reflex tears aren’t the same as normal tears. Your body creates an overabundance of tears, but they are often watery and lack the oily and mucous layers of good, healthy tears that help them to spread evenly across your eye. Therefore, they don’t stick to the surface of your eyes, and they drain out. Next thing, your brain says your eyes are still dry, so it produces even more tears.
Morning tears
In the morning, your eyes may produce more reflex tears due to overnight dryness. Because our eyes close during sleep, we produce fewer natural tears. Environmental factors like heating or air conditioning can also exacerbate dryness.
Tearing due to changes in light or temperature
Shifts in light or temperature can irritate sensitive, dry eyes, triggering reflex tearing. For example, moving from an indoor environment to a cold outdoor one, or sunlight after dim light can stimulate the production of excessive tears as your eyes try to protect themselves.
The crying game
Until tear composition is back in balance, you’ll be stuck in a watery cycle with tears that don’t stay on the surface of your eye long enough to provide proper hydration. Your eyes may feel persistently dry, even though they’re watery.
What causes Dry Eye
Dry Eye might better be described as tear film dysfunction. Tears have three key components: oil, water, and mucous. Dry eye occurs when this balance is disrupted, either due to a deficiency or overproduction of one component.
Other possible causes of Dry Eye include blocked tear ducts which prevent proper tear drainage. Inflammation from allergies can interfere with tear quality as can eyelid conditions, such as blepharitis. Meibomian gland dysfunction can also disrupt the oil layer of tears.
Common symptoms of Dry Eye
- Watery eyes
- Scratchy or burning sensation
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Redness or irritation
- Feeling like there’s something in your eye
Treating Dry Eye
The causes and treatment for Dry Eye can vary from person to person. A thorough eye examination at John O’Connor Optometrists can determine whether dry eye, allergies, or a combination of factors is behind your symptoms. And it is important to know the difference. People often assume their symptoms are due to allergies. However, self-treating with allergy medications like antihistamines, which can dry out the eyes even more, can be a mistake.
Common treatments for Dry Eye
To hydrate and protect the eyes without causing further irritation we recommend preservative-free artificial tears. Again, using these may sound counter-intuitive, but drops work by washing away the less healthy tears, soothing the surface of the eye and protecting it. We recommend preservative-free tears because, unlike other over-the-counter drops, you can’t overuse those. Drops with preservatives can irritate the eyes more, making the condition worse.
Lubricating eyedrops also provide dry eye relief by replacing tears. When used during the day, they help reduce moisture loss from the eye. We may recommend applying Optimel Manuka Honey Eye Drops three times a day for relief. These drops create a protective barrier and are a natural and effective way to soothe dry eyes. They are suitable for long-term use and provide long-lasting lubrication while being gentle on the eyes. Optimel Eye Gel applied before bed can also significantly help reduce bacteria in cases of chronic lid disease.
Blepharitis is a common eye disorder and sufferers may experience watery eyes as well as sore and inflamed eyelids, where the eyelashes grow.
It is characterised by redness of the eyelid margins and sore, itchy eyes, especially in the mornings. Blepharitis needs to be treated by an optometrist to prevent it from getting worse. To treat blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, we may recommend the daily use of an antimicrobial sterilid spray to gently clean your eyelids and eyelashes. This removes any debris or bacteria that may contribute to dry eye.
At our Auckland city optometrists, we also have Blephasteam Goggles for the treatment of dry eye and blepharitis. They warm the eyelid, unblock the oil glands and improve tear quality. Our optometrists can let you know if using Blephasteam treatment would be helpful for you.
Don’t ignore the tears
Dry Eye can cause discomfort, blurry vision, and pain, but help is available. The team at John O’Connor Optometrists can create a personalised treatment plan for you.
If you’re experiencing watery eyes or any other symptoms of Dry Eye, book an appointment. Our expertise and personalised care will help you see the world better. Call our Newmarket optometrist on 09 522 1283 or our Henderson branch on 09 836 1731 for more information!