9 Home Remedies to Quickly Stop Annoying Watery Eyes

How to Stop Watery Eyes at Home

Excessively watery eyes can be annoying, inconvenient, and even uncomfortable. But before you can properly treat watery eyes, it's important to understand why they happen in the first place.

What Causes Watery Eyes?

Watery eyes occur when your tear glands produce more tears than normal or when the tears are not draining properly from the eyes. Some common causes include:

Irritants

Allergens or irritants like smoke, dust, or certain chemicals can trigger extra tear production. This is the eye's natural way of clearing out the irritant and soothing eye discomfort.

Structural Blockages

If the tiny holes or drainage ducts get blocked where tears normally empty from the eyes into the nose, it can result in overflow tears spilling out of the eyes.

Hormones

Shifting hormone levels during events like pregnancy, menstrual cycles, or menopause may increase tear production leading to temporary watery eyes.

Medications

Certain prescription eye drop medications can stimulate extra tear formation over time. Other drugs like birth control, hypertension medications, or antidepressants may also potentially contribute.

Identifying Severity for Proper Treatment

In mild cases of watery eyes, simple at-home remedies can help reduce discomfort. But more chronic, severe instances may require medical treatment to address the root cause.

Mild Watery Eyes Symptoms

• Occasional extra tearing
• Mild eye redness or irritation
• Episodes come and go

Severe Water Eyes Symptoms

• Constant watery discharge
• Pus-like mucus discharge
• Blurred vision or light sensitivity
• Severe stinging, burning or itching
• Ongoing redness and swelling

9 Home Remedies to Stop Watery Eyes

Use these tips to help safely manage annoying or mild cases of watery eyes at home:

1. Remove Eye Irritants

Eliminating triggers like smoke, dust, pet dander, chemicals cleaners can curb excess tearing by not giving your eyes anything to react to.

2. Use a Cold Compress

Placing a clean, wet washcloth cooled with ice water over closed eyes constricts blood vessels to calm inflammation and slow tear production.

3. Try a Warm Compress

Alternatively, a warm, wet washcloth may help relax blocked oil glands and open tear ducts to improve drainage for some people.

4. Clean Eyelids Properly

Use diluted baby shampoo and cotton balls to routinely clean eyelids and remove debris, discharge or bacteria around eyelashes that could clog tear ducts.

5. Flush with Saline

Rinsing eyes with sterile saline solution helps flush out allergens, clear mucus, eyedrops preservatives or other irritants.

6. Take Antihistamine Medication

Over-the-counter oral antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin or Benadryl can help control watery eyes caused by indoor/outdoor allergies.

7. Use OTC Eye Drops

Soothe eyes and restrict tear production with temporary vasoconstrictor eye drops containing naphazoline or tetrahydrozoline as active ingredients.

8. Increase Omega-3s

Consuming more omega-3 fatty acids from foods like fish, walnuts, flax and chia seeds may decrease inflammation causing watery eye discharge.

9. Stay Hydrated

Drinking adequate water ensures your body maintains the right electrolyte balance to produce tears with the proper composition.

When to See Your Doctor

While home treatments can provide relief for temporary or minor watery eyes, it’s important to involve an eye doctor for evaluation and specialized care if you have:

• Painful, irritated eyes
• Changes in vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Ongoing excess tearing for over 2 weeks
• Yellow, green or bloody discharge
• Crusting or swelling of eyelids

Causes of Chronic Watery Eyes

Some conditions that may require prescription medicated eye drops, antibiotics, specialized treatments like punctal occlusion or more to stop watery eyes include:

Dry Eye Disease

Counterintuitively, lack of tear production can cause watery eyes as the eyes overcompensate and overload tear glands.

Blocked Tear Ducts

Obstructions from inflammation, infections, or injuries can prevent proper tear drainage.

Blepharitis

Inflammation along the eyelid margins blocks meibomian oil glands near base of lashes needed for tear stability.

Allergies

Seasonal or pet dander allergic reactions generating ongoing histamine response may require prescription antihistamine eyedrops.

Eye Infections

Bacterial, viral or fungal eye infections cause irritation, swelling and pus-like discharge.

When Watery Eyes Indicate Serious Conditions

While mostly temporary and harmless, excessive tearing can occasionally signal other serious eye issues that warrant urgent medical care, like:

Glaucoma

Increased eye pressure damages the optic nerve.

Uveitis

Inflammation of eye structures like the iris.

Corneal Ulcer

Open sore on the eye’s surface.

Eye Injury

Trauma or introduction of foreign object.

Seek prompt emergency care if sudden onset watery eyes accompany -

• Extreme pain
• Nausea/vomiting
• Halos around lights
• Very blurred vision

Red flag combinations signaling potential loss of vision.

Preventing Watery Eyes

Reduce chances of dealing with watery eyes by:

• Using goggles and masks when exposed to irritants
• Treating environmental allergies
• Practicing good hygiene to prevent infections
• Taking breaks during extended digital device use
• Staying hydrated
• Not overusing medicated eye drops

Paying attention to eye care helps detect issues early and avoid bothersome watery eyes!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.