The lacrimal gland and other small glands located inside the eyelid and on the white part of the eye constantly produce tears to keep the eye moist, lubricated and healthy.
HOW DO TEARS DRAIN FROM THE EYE?
Tears are produced by glands around the eye and are washed across the eye towards the nose. They drain from the eye though two small openings called the upper and lower puncta, which are located at the inside corner of the upper and lower eyelids near the nose. The tears then move through a passage called the canaliculus and into the lacrimal sac. From the sac, the tears then drop the down the tear duct, called the nasolacrimal duct, and drain into the back of the nose and throat. That is why your nose runs when you cry.
EXCESSIVE TEARING MAY OCCUR FROM THE FOLLOWING:
- Injury, birth defects, infection or other blockage of the lacrimal (tear) drainage system;
- Eyelid or eyelash disorders;
- Infection of the eye;
- Wind, smoke, fumes or other environmental irritants;
- Glaucoma;
- Certain medications;
- Allergic reaction;
- Eyestrain;
- Dry eyes;
- Foreign material in the eye;
- Scratch on the eye.
HOW IS THE CAUSE OF EXCESSIVE TEARING DETERMINED?
A thorough eye examination by an eye care worker is necessary to determine the cause of excessive tearing. He or she may also:
- Irrigate your tear drainage system with fluid to make sure the pathway is open;
- Measure tear production;
- Measure eye pressure;
- Illuminate the tear drain with a fluorescent dye test;
- Perform computerized tomography (CT) scanning.
HOW IS EXCESSIVE TEARING TREATED?
Once your ophthalmologist determines the cause, treatment may include one or more of the following:
- Surgical opening of the blocked drainage system;
- Surgery to repair an injured drainage system;
- Removal of an inturned eyelash or foreign body in the eye;
- Adding a new opening from the lacrimal sac into the nose, a procedure known as dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR);
- Insertion of an artificial tear duct implant.
Your eye care worker will discuss the most appropriate form of treatment for you.