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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Excessive Tearing?

I have excessive tearing of eye s for the last month. I live in Las Vegas, NV. No history of allergies to food or drugs. Traveled recently to Minnesota where symptoms subsided however, symptoms returned once back in Las Vegas. Taking Zyrtec and eye drops without significant results. My son is beginning to get the same symptoms. What do you think?
Mon, 1 Aug 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Thanks you for asking this question. I have undergone through your question. I understand your concern.Tears are produced in the lacrimal gland and drain through the upper and lower puncta into the canaliculi and then into the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. Obstruction of tear drainage can lead to stasis and infection. Any disorder causing conjunctival or corneal irritation can increase tear production. Common causes are allergies, blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), blocked tear duct, common cold, corneal abrasion, corneal ulcer, dry eyes (decreased production of tears), ectropion (outwardly turned eyelid), entropion (inwardly turned eyelid), foreign body in eye, Ingrown eyelash (trichiasis), eeratitis, conjunctivitis, sty, tear duct infection, and trachoma etc.
If a bacterial infection such as conjunctivitis is causing watering eyes, your eye specialist may prescribe a course of antibiotics. If they suspect a virus is the cause, you may be advised to wait for a week or so to see if it resolves itself. If your eyes are watering because of an allergy, antihistamine medication may be prescribed to help reduce the inflammation. If the underlying cause is dry eye syndrome, try avoiding reading, watching TV and using a computer – you're likely to blink less during these activities, which can make symptoms worse.
The use of lubricating eye drops can help ease the discomfort of dry eye. These can be bought over the counter from a pharmacy and your healthcare professional can advise which product is best for you. It might help to hold a warm, damp, clean cloth over the affected eye for five minutes and at the same time, gently massage your eyelids with the cloth to loosen any material that might be blocking the eye glands. In cases where irritation is caused by an inward-growing eyelash or a foreign object, such as a piece of grit, these can be removed by your eye specialist. Tear ducts allow excess tears to drain away. If a blocked tear duct is causing watering eyes, it can be treated with surgery. If you have an infection in your tear sac (where excess tears from your eyes drain into), it will need to be treated with antibiotics first, before surgery. Left untreated, the infection could spread to your eye socket.
I hope this information will help you
I wish you a good health

     

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What Causes Excessive Tearing?

Thanks you for asking this question. I have undergone through your question. I understand your concern.Tears are produced in the lacrimal gland and drain through the upper and lower puncta into the canaliculi and then into the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. Obstruction of tear drainage can lead to stasis and infection. Any disorder causing conjunctival or corneal irritation can increase tear production. Common causes are allergies, blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), blocked tear duct, common cold, corneal abrasion, corneal ulcer, dry eyes (decreased production of tears), ectropion (outwardly turned eyelid), entropion (inwardly turned eyelid), foreign body in eye, Ingrown eyelash (trichiasis), eeratitis, conjunctivitis, sty, tear duct infection, and trachoma etc. If a bacterial infection such as conjunctivitis is causing watering eyes, your eye specialist may prescribe a course of antibiotics. If they suspect a virus is the cause, you may be advised to wait for a week or so to see if it resolves itself. If your eyes are watering because of an allergy, antihistamine medication may be prescribed to help reduce the inflammation. If the underlying cause is dry eye syndrome, try avoiding reading, watching TV and using a computer – you re likely to blink less during these activities, which can make symptoms worse. The use of lubricating eye drops can help ease the discomfort of dry eye. These can be bought over the counter from a pharmacy and your healthcare professional can advise which product is best for you. It might help to hold a warm, damp, clean cloth over the affected eye for five minutes and at the same time, gently massage your eyelids with the cloth to loosen any material that might be blocking the eye glands. In cases where irritation is caused by an inward-growing eyelash or a foreign object, such as a piece of grit, these can be removed by your eye specialist. Tear ducts allow excess tears to drain away. If a blocked tear duct is causing watering eyes, it can be treated with surgery. If you have an infection in your tear sac (where excess tears from your eyes drain into), it will need to be treated with antibiotics first, before surgery. Left untreated, the infection could spread to your eye socket. I hope this information will help you I wish you a good health