Do your eyes ever water for no reason? Are they often dry, itchy, or scratchy? If so, you might have dry eye syndrome. It’s a common condition that happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears or when your tears are of poor quality. This leads to dryness in the eyes and can cause a range of symptoms, including stinging, burning, and irritation. What surprises a lot of people is that dry eyes can also lead to watery eyes. In this blog post, we’ll talk about how dry eye can cause this unexpected symptom and share tips for finding relief.
How does dry eye lead to watery eyes?
While it may seem counterintuitive, watery eyes can be a surprising symptom of dry eye syndrome. When your eyes get dry, your body tries to compensate by producing too many tears. It’s called reflex tearing. These tears are watery and give you temporary relief, but they don’t last long, leaving your eyes dry again.
Causes of dry eye syndrome
There are many causes of dry eye syndrome, including age, hormonal changes, medications, and environmental factors such as air conditioning and low humidity. People with certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren’s syndrome, are also more likely to develop dry eye syndrome.
Treatment for watery eyes
Treatment for dry eye syndrome will depend on what’s causing it. Treatment options may include artificial tears, prescription eye drops, warm compresses, and medications to treat inflammation. Lifestyle changes like using a humidifier, taking breaks from screens, and wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from wind and other irritants can also help. Additionally, increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your eye health and reduce dry eye symptoms.
While dry eye syndrome can be uncomfortable and frustrating, there are many treatment options available that can provide relief and improve your eye health. If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry eye syndrome, it’s important to schedule an appointment with an experienced eye doctor who can evaluate your condition and recommend the right treatment for you. Our eye doctor in Murfreesboro, Tennessee offers a range of treatment options that target the underlying cause and provide long-term relief. Don’t let dry eye syndrome affect your quality of life—schedule an appointment with us today!