As you know, tears are necessary for the human eye to maintain a normal level of moisture and their purification from all kinds of pollution. Under normal conditions, about 6 mg of fluid is produced daily by the glands. If the volume of tears significantly exceeds this indicator, then this is a sign of pathological lacrimation, which can indicate abnormalities in the activity of the body.
Optometrists strongly recommend not to ignore profuse tearing. After all, such a sign is very common with a variety of pathologies of the visual organs. In addition, it can appear against the background of other abnormal processes in the body. Therefore, we propose to understand what are the causes of lacrimation from the eyes.
Process need
The liquid secreted by the lacrimal glands is similar in chemical composition to blood plasma, the difference is only in the higher chlorine content and fewer organic ingredients. Tears are 99% ordinary water. But depending on the state of health, the composition of this fluid may vary slightly, so in some cases it is taken for analysis.
Tears perform several important functions for the body:
- Moisturizing the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and eyes. Covering the cornea with a thin film, a tear protects it from the harmful effects of the environment. If external conditions become more aggressive, for example, the presence of smoke in the air, or foreign objects fall on the shell, lacrimation becomes more plentiful. This is necessary to eliminate substances from the eyes that can harm them.
- Antibacterial function. The lacrimal fluid contains a special enzyme, lysozyme, which effectively fights various bacteria. Due to this component, the eyes are under reliable protection, despite constant contact with the environment.
- Anti-stress function. Together with tears, hormones come out of the body that are produced in stressful situations. It is because of this that tears are considered the usual reaction to a strong overexcitation: a large amount of hormones can suppress the human psyche, therefore nature took care of us and allowed us to get rid of excess unnecessary substances through tears. The same mechanism starts with an excess of adrenaline.
- Tears saturate the cornea with no blood vessels in nutrients.
Norm
In some cases, there is absolutely no point in treating lacrimation from the eyes. The reasons for this phenomenon can actually be completely harmless. After all, it is salty drops that often become the normal reaction of the body to various stimuli. In such situations, despite the discomfort brought by tears, therapy is not required, since such tears are not a symptom of pathology. There can be many such factors:
- Strong overwork. People who often peer at monitors, read books, or drive, often complain of itching, burning, and involuntary lacrimation. In this case, to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, it is enough to simply give your eyes a rest and drip them with moisturizing drops. "Vial" or "Vizin" is perfect for this.
- Deficiency of B vitamins, potassium or zinc. This is another common cause of lacrimation from the eyes. Treatment in this case should be aimed at replenishing the supply of necessary elements. To do this, you should adjust the diet and drink the course of vitamin-mineral complexes.
- Profuse lacrimation after sleep. This phenomenon is considered absolutely normal - it helps the tear film to recover.
- All kinds of injuries and foreign objects. In this case, tears are secreted to eliminate pollution and restore the cornea.
- Laughing or yawning.
- Predisposing weather. What are the causes and treatment of lacrimation from the eyes in the street? Due to the effects of frost and wind, the organs of vision dry out quite quickly, so the lacrimal glands begin to work several times more actively. This is precisely the reason for lacrimation from the eyes on the street. This is not a manifestation of pathology, rather, we are talking about individual characteristics.
- The use of inappropriate glasses or an individual reaction to the lens. In this case, you should contact your optometrist. Only a specialist is able to correct the situation, and help you in choosing the right glasses.
- Allergic reaction to cosmetics. In this case, there is one solution - say goodbye to inappropriate means and stock up on new products.
- Age over 50 years. Decreased cheek tone, the development of dry keratoconjunctivitis, malfunctioning of the lacrimal glands - these are the main causes of lacrimation from the eyes in the elderly. Treatment is carried out with the help of special massage and special drops. Only complex therapy is considered effective.
Causes of severe lacrimation from the eyes
In addition to natural factors, various diseases can lead to abundant release of salty liquid. Increased lacrimation is a disturbed balance between the production of fluid and its diversion through appropriate channels. It looks like a person is crying all the time.
There are two forms of lacrimation: hypersecretory and retention. In the latter case, the production of tears remains normal, but because of the impaired outflow, they do not pass through the channels into the nasopharynx, but remain in the eyes. In the second option, the situation looks different: the lacrimal glands produce too much secretion.
Profuse tearing. Symptomatology
There are many reasons for lacrimation from the eyes: it can be caused by various injuries, foreign bodies, and infectious defects. Other symptoms may accompany this phenomenon, depending on the initial factor. It is their combination that allows the ophthalmologist to determine the exact diagnosis and select the appropriate treatment tactics.
If, in addition to the lacrimation itself, a person is not bothered by other problems, one can suspect the presence of one of the diseases of the visual system.
Dry eye syndrome. The essence of the term
One of the most common causes of profuse lacrimation from the eyes. The disease develops against the background of constant overwork of the visual organs and too rare blinking. Due to the long work in front of the screen, long viewing of the TV and being in a room with dry air, the cornea of the eyes gradually dries up. This is due to the lack of timely updating of the tear film.
The first precursor to the disease is tearing. It is with the help of tears that the eyes try to make up for the moisture deficit and produce the maximum amount of fluid. True, the active production of tears in this case does not lead to success, since the watery component of the film predominates over the fatty part.
Inversion of the century or ectropion
This pathology can develop for several reasons:
- lack of necessary eye hygiene;
- surgical intervention;
- the nucleation of a tumor in the eyelid.
Any of these factors entails the appearance of free space between the lower eyelid and the conjunctiva. Against the background of this pathology, the lacrimal opening is displaced, due to which the person begins to constantly have tears.
At an early stage of the development of the disease, its only symptom is profuse lacrimation. But due to the lack of proper treatment, an eversion of the eyelid can lead to complications in the form of blepharitis and conjunctivitis. As a result, the clinical picture of the disease is complemented by redness and a sensation of the presence of a foreign body in the eye. There is only one treatment option - surgery.
Blockage of the lacrimal ducts. Features
A fairly common cause of lacrimation from the eyes in the elderly is associated with age-related changes. Although blockage can occur due to surgery, damage, infection, cyst formation, swelling and other pathological processes. In some cases, the disease develops while taking potent medications.
With such a disease, tears constantly flow from the eyes, and vision becomes blurred. If clogging of the ducts leads to an exacerbation of chronic conjunctivitis or dacryocystitis, blood or even pus begins to be released.
Lagophthalmos
The people have another name for this disease - a hare eye. This is a neurological disease in which the eyelids cease to fully close, which gradually leads to drying out of the eyes. This problem often becomes a consequence of encephalitis, stroke and other defects of the nervous system that affect the facial nerves.
It is lagophthalmus that causes lacrimation from one eye. In an adult, it is this symptom that is often the first and only harbinger of the disease. At an early stage, the organ of vision has a normal color, pain and swelling are absent. But as the disease progresses, the clinical picture changes. Over time, an ulcer or corneal dystrophy, keratitis and other unpleasant symptoms, for example, pain, swelling and severe discomfort, can develop.
To relieve symptoms, an implant is placed under the upper eyelid, silicone threads are inserted. At the same time, drugs are used to moisturize and disinfect the conjunctiva.
Conjunctivitis
The allergic form of this disease is considered a seasonal disease that develops in the spring due to the body’s reaction to flowering. In addition to profuse lacrimation, with such a pathology, patients complain of severe itching, swelling, photophobia, burning, redness of the eyelids. In severe cases, conjunctivitis is accompanied by a runny nose, shortness of breath and sore throat. In therapy, antiallergic drugs are used.
If we are talking about an infectious form of the disease, then from the eyes, in addition to tears, pus is released. Antiviral agents and antibiotics are used for treatment.
Keratitis
Another common cause of lacrimation from the eyes. In addition, keratitis has a number of other symptoms: closing of the eyelids, intolerance to bright lighting, a sensation of a foreign object. This pathology needs urgent treatment. In the absence of therapy, keratitis can injure the cornea and penetrate deep into the eyeball.
Wearing lenses
Sometimes the cause of lacrimation from the eyes is the use of contact lenses. The abundant release of salt liquid in this case can be explained by such conditions:
- wrong product selection;
- too long use;
- lack of hygiene, which leads to the formation of fungus, the deposition of protein and the accumulation of dirt;
- individual intolerance;
- dust ingress;
- Long stay in the wind or the sun.
To prevent the occurrence of a problem, you should follow simple recommendations:
- listen to the opinion of the doctor when choosing a product;
- take care of the lenses;
- systematically use artificial tears;
- to wear sunglasses.
Causes of lacrimation from the eyes of a child
In young children, this problem may occur due to the influence of various factors:
- Rhinitis. With this disease, the lacrimal canal narrows, which leads to increased secretion production.
- Spasm. It can occur during a sudden change in climate and hypothermia. Together with lacrimation, pus secretion and swelling of the mucosa appear.
- Teething.
- Eczema. This pathology is accompanied by peeling and dry eyelids.
- Eye injuries. Minor damage, such as scratches, and serious injuries can lead to profuse lacrimation. Only in the latter case should the child be shown to an optometrist.
Treatment
Lacrimation is just a symptom, not a separate disease, so you can get rid of it only by treating the main pathology. Depending on the initial cause, which provoked excessive production of tears, the optometrist can prescribe antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antihistamine and antibacterial drugs to the patient.
The complex treatment also includes alternative agents that have an anti-inflammatory effect. Usually, they are used as rinses and compresses. But you can use such funds only as directed by the doctor:
- Appliques with tea. Make a strong brew of any tea, soak cotton pads in it and put them on your eyes. In addition, you can wash your eyes with this product. It is recommended to arrange medical procedures twice a day.
- Solution "Furacilina". Rinse the eyes with this drug 2 times during the day.
- Compresses from plant infusions. Pour a tablespoon of a string, chamomile or calendula with two glasses of boiling water, leave for half an hour. In the prepared product, moisten the cotton pads and place them on your eyes for 15-20 minutes.
- A decoction of millet. Boil 2 tablespoons of cereal in a glass of boiling water, strain and let cool. Ready means rinse the organs of vision 2-3 times during the day.
The causes of lacrimation from the eyes are numerous, and only a specialist can determine by what means you can get rid of this symptom. So, do not ignore the dangerous sign - you need to see a doctor immediately.