A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, involves inflammation and swelling of the tissues lining the sinuses, which are air-filled cavities located behind your face. This inflammation can lead to a buildup of mucus, causing pressure and various uncomfortable symptoms, including watery eyes.
Understanding the Connection
The sinuses are four paired air-filled cavities in the skull, located between your eyes and nose, as well as in your forehead and cheeks. These include the frontal sinuses (above the eyes), ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes), maxillary sinuses (below the eyes and behind the cheeks), and sphenoid sinuses (deeper behind the eyes). All sinuses connect to and drain into the nasal cavity, producing mucus.
The connection between sinus infections and watery eyes lies in the proximity of the sinuses to the tear drainage system. Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands in the upper eyelids. They flow across the eye surface and drain into tiny openings called puncta in the inner corners of the eyelids. These puncta lead to small canals (canaliculi) that direct tears to the lacrimal sac, a reservoir on the side of the nose. From the lacrimal sac, tears travel down the nasolacrimal duct into the nasal cavity.
When a sinus infection causes inflammation and swelling, particularly in the ethmoid or maxillary sinuses near the eye area, this can affect the tear drainage system. The swelling and pressure from the inflamed sinuses can compress or irritate the nasolacrimal duct or surrounding structures. This compression can impede tear flow into the nose, leading to a backlog on the eye surface. As a result, eyes may become watery because tears cannot drain properly.
Other Common Sinus Infection Symptoms
Watery eyes often accompany other symptoms of a sinus infection. Facial pain or pressure is common, felt around the eyes, forehead, and cheeks, and may worsen when bending over. This discomfort is due to mucus buildup and pressure within the inflamed sinus cavities.
Nasal congestion is a frequent complaint, making it difficult to breathe through the nose and sometimes reducing the sense of smell and taste. This congestion often comes with discolored nasal discharge, which can appear yellow or green, indicating the presence of an infection.
Many individuals also experience a cough, which is often more pronounced at night, and a sore throat, resulting from mucus dripping down the back of the throat, known as post-nasal drip. Other general symptoms include a headache, a feeling of fatigue, and sometimes a low-grade fever.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many sinus infections resolve on their own, there are situations when medical attention is advisable. If symptoms persist for more than 10 days without improvement, or if they initially improve but then worsen, it may indicate a bacterial infection requiring treatment. Severe symptoms, such as intense headache or severe facial pain not relieved by over-the-counter medicine, warrant a doctor’s visit.
Other signs include a fever lasting longer than three to four days or a temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Changes in vision, swelling or redness around the eyes, or difficulty moving the eyes require immediate medical evaluation. These could indicate a more serious complication, such as the infection spreading beyond the sinuses. Individuals with weakened immune systems or recurrent sinus infections should also consult a healthcare provider.