It can be a perplexing experience when your eyes begin to water, especially when you are lying down. This common phenomenon often prompts individuals to seek understanding about its underlying causes. While seemingly minor, excessive tearing can sometimes indicate various physiological responses or environmental interactions.
Why Eyes Water When Lying Down
Gravity plays a significant role in tear drainage. When upright, gravity assists tears in flowing through the puncta, small openings located in the inner corner of the eyelids, and into the nasolacrimal duct, which empties into the nasal passages. When a person lies down, this gravitational assistance is reduced, making it more challenging for tears to drain effectively, leading to tear pooling and overflow.
Paradoxical tearing, where dry eyes lead to excessive watering, is another frequent cause. When the eyes are dry, they send signals to produce more tears as a reflex. This reflex tearing may be particularly noticeable when lying down, as tear production can decrease or evaporation can increase during rest, triggering the body’s compensatory response.
Environmental factors and allergens in the sleeping environment can irritate the eyes. Dust mites, pet dander, or other allergens in bedding can trigger an allergic reaction, causing the eyes to water. A dry sleeping environment, possibly due to heating or air conditioning, can also contribute to eye dryness and reflex tearing.
Partial or complete blockage of the tear ducts can be more apparent when lying down. Tears are unable to drain through the obstructed ducts, causing them to accumulate on the eye’s surface and spill over. This blockage can result from inflammation, infection, or structural issues.
Minor eyelid issues can also affect tear distribution and drainage. Conditions like ectropion, where the eyelid turns outward, or entropion, where it turns inward, can disrupt the normal tear film and drainage system, leading to watering, especially when reclined.
Other Signs to Watch For
When watery eyes are accompanied by other symptoms, it may suggest a more significant underlying issue. Pain or discomfort in the eye, along with excessive tearing, requires attention. Significant redness or swelling of the eye or eyelids can also signal inflammation or infection.
Discharge, such as pus, mucus, or crusting around the eyelashes, indicates infection or inflammation. Changes in vision, including blurriness or increased sensitivity to light, are also important signs to monitor. A persistent feeling of a foreign body in the eye, even when nothing is visibly present, can point to irritation or an underlying condition. If symptoms persist despite simple home measures or if the watering affects only one eye, seek further evaluation.
Simple Steps for Relief
Managing environmental factors can help reduce eye watering. Regularly washing bedding, using dust mite covers, and employing a humidifier in dry indoor environments can minimize allergen exposure and add moisture. Avoiding direct air currents from fans or vents can also prevent eye dryness.
Applying warm compresses to the eyes can soothe irritation and help clear minor blockages in the oil glands along the eyelids. This can be done by dampening a clean cloth with warm water and placing it over closed eyelids for several minutes. Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops, often referred to as artificial tears, can supplement the eye’s natural moisture, particularly if dry eye is contributing to the watering. These drops help maintain a healthy tear film and reduce irritation.
Adjusting your sleeping position by elevating the head slightly with an extra pillow can encourage better tear drainage due to gravity. Refraining from rubbing the eyes, which can worsen irritation and inflammation, is also important.
When to See a Doctor
Seeking medical advice is important in certain situations. If watery eyes are accompanied by pain, redness, discharge, or changes in vision, consult a doctor. These symptoms may indicate an infection, injury, or other condition requiring specific treatment.
If home remedies do not provide relief or if symptoms worsen over time, a medical evaluation is appropriate. Persistent watering that impacts daily activities or quality of life also warrants a visit to an eye care professional. A doctor can accurately diagnose the cause and recommend suitable treatment options, ruling out more serious underlying conditions or infections.