Watery Eyes: A Surprising Symptom of Dry Eye Syndrome

Feb 1, 2024

Whenever you hear the term “dry eyes,” you probably think of dryness. But surprisingly, another common symptom of dry eye is watery eyes. If you’re experiencing this issue, then you already know how frustrating it can be. Constantly wiping away tears and dealing with blurry vision can have an impact on your daily life.  

The good news is you don’t have to suffer in silence. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips for relief and explain why dry eyes water excessively.  

Understanding dry eye  

Dry eye, also known as dry eye syndrome, happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears, or your tears evaporate too quickly. This can cause uncomfortable symptoms like itching, burning, and a gritty feeling like something’s stuck in your eye. Many factors can increase your risk of developing dry eye, including hormonal changes, aging, certain medications and medical conditions, and environmental factors like dry air or wind. 

Why do dry eyes constantly water?  

When your eyes don’t produce enough tears to keep them lubricated, they can get irritated and inflamed. This leads to reflex tearing, where your body makes extra tears to try and soothe your eyes. Unfortunately, these tears aren’t the same as your natural tears and may not provide lasting relief. In fact, all that excess tearing can worsen your dry eye symptoms in the long run. 

How to find relief 

If you’re dealing with watery eyes due to dry eye syndrome, there are a few things you can do to manage the symptoms. The first thing you should do is make sure you’re drinking enough water to stay hydrated. Another option is to try using over-the-counter eye drops that help keep your eyes moist. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing contact lenses for too long and to take breaks while using the computer or reading. 

If you’re still feeling uncomfortable after trying these home remedies, it’s important to schedule an eye exam with your optometrist. An eye doctor will be able to figure out what’s causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan that fits your needs. Treatment could include prescription eye drops or specialized procedures that use heat and massage to soften and warm clogged tear glands in your eyelids.  

If your eyes are watering excessively and feeling dry, it could be a sign of an underlying condition that needs treatment. Our experienced eye doctor offers a range of dry eye treatment options in Andalusia, Alabama. Treatment may include LipiFlow and TempSure Envi, advanced technologies that offer relief from dry eye symptoms. Additionally, TempSure Envi can help minimize wrinkles and tighten the skin around the eyes, giving you smoother and younger-looking skin.  

Don’t let dry eye syndrome affect your vision and quality of life. Schedule an appointment with us today and let us help you get back to feeling like yourself.