Why Are My Eyes Watering If I Have Dry Eye?
My eyes are constantly watering. How can they possibly be dry? It is a great question. Strangely enough, watery eyes can be a symptom of dry eye disease.
Your tears are not just water. A healthy tear film has several components that keep the eye comfortable, smooth, and optically clear. If that tear film becomes unstable, irritation can trigger reflex tearing without correcting the underlying problem.
Dry eye can feel like burning, stinging, grittiness, redness, watering, intermittent blur, tired eyes, or contact lens discomfort. Some people notice blur after screen use that temporarily clears after blinking.
Dry eye can be related to Meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD), poor tear quality, reduced tear production, eyelid inflammation, contact lens wear, screen use, environmental conditions, certain medications, and age-related changes.
Artificial tears can help, but treatment works best when the cause is understood. Management may include lubricating drops, warm compresses, eyelid hygiene, prescription medication, treatment of Meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD), contact-lens changes, and selected in-office treatments.
Two people can both say their eyes burn and have very different underlying problems. A good dry-eye evaluation is about understanding why your eyes are uncomfortable, not simply trying another bottle of drops.
