Watery eyes are a common and uncomfortable symptom when you’re sick, disrupting daily activities. Understanding why they occur and how to find relief can significantly aid your recovery.
Understanding Why Your Eyes Water
When sick, your immune system combats infections, leading to watery eyes. This increased tear production is a reflex to inflammation or irritation. Common illnesses like colds, flu, and sinus infections often trigger this, as can viral infections causing conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Another contributing factor is congestion, particularly in the nasal passages and sinuses. The tear drainage system, which includes small tubes called tear ducts, connects the eyes to the nose. When these passages become swollen or blocked due to mucus buildup from an illness, tears cannot drain properly and may overflow from the eyes. Even dry eyes, paradoxically, can lead to excessive tearing as the eyes attempt to compensate for insufficient moisture by overproducing tears. Allergies also cause watery eyes as the body reacts to harmless substances like pollen or dust, triggering an inflammatory response.
At-Home Comfort Measures
Simple at-home measures can alleviate watery eye discomfort. A warm compress is soothing, especially with congestion or grittiness. It helps thin eyelid oils and relieve pain. To make one, soak a clean washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and place it over closed eyes for 10-15 minutes, repeating several times daily.
Alternatively, a cool compress can reduce inflammation and alleviate itching and swelling. Gently cleaning the eye area with a clean, damp cloth can help remove any crusting or discharge. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can introduce irritants or worsen inflammation.
Ensuring adequate rest allows your immune system to fight the illness, indirectly reducing eye symptoms. Staying well-hydrated helps thin mucus, aiding tear drainage. Using a humidifier adds moisture to the air, preventing tears from evaporating and soothing dry eyes.
Over-the-Counter Options
If home remedies aren’t enough, OTC options can provide relief. Lubricating eye drops, or artificial tears, mimic natural tears to flush irritants and moisturize the eye. They create a protective layer, reduce friction on the cornea, and stabilize the tear film. Many types are available, including preservative-free options.
If your watery eyes are linked to allergies or congestion from a cold, oral antihistamines or decongestants may be beneficial. Antihistamines work by blocking histamine, a chemical the body releases during allergic reactions that causes symptoms like watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose. While some research indicates antihistamines may not be highly effective for common cold symptoms alone, they can help if allergy components are present. Decongestants reduce swelling in the blood vessels in the nasal passages, which can help clear blocked tear ducts and improve tear drainage. It is important to read labels carefully, as some cold medications combine these ingredients.
When to Consult a Doctor
While watery eyes due to illness often resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant professional medical attention. You should consult a doctor if your watery eyes are persistent, worsen over time, or do not improve after a reasonable period with home remedies and over-the-counter options. Specific warning signs include eye pain, changes in vision, or a feeling that something is constantly in your eye.
Additional indicators for seeking medical advice include redness, discharge (especially pus or sticky white/yellow discharge), increased sensitivity to light, or swelling around the eye. If you experience a fever alongside your eye symptoms, or if the watery eyes are unilateral (affecting only one eye) and increasing in severity, a doctor’s evaluation is important. These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition such as an infection, a blocked tear duct requiring intervention, or other underlying eye issues.