Lachrymation is the physiological process of secreting a tear fluid that washes the eyeball, thus protecting it from traumatization and infection. Another important function of tear fluid is the prevention of drying out of the eyes.
The lacrimal glands located in the outer corners of the orbit and in the tissues of the conjunctiva correspond to the production of the lacrimal fluid. The process of lacrimation occurs as follows: the lacrimal fluid secreted by the glands ishes the eyeball, after which it enters the tear sack through the tear ducts, and from it through the nasolacrimal canal into the nasal cavity.
Enhanced lacrimation of the eyes may be reflex or pathological, associated with various disorders. There are two types of abnormal lacrimation:
- hypersecretory - excessive production of tear fluid (gland hyperfunction);
- retention - a violation of outflow of tear fluid.
Causes of lacrimation from the eyes
Reflex production of an increased amount of tear fluid is a normal protective reaction of the eye in response to various stimuli affecting the mucous eyes and nose:
- hit in the eyes of foreign bodies;
- trauma to the eye ;
- smoke, corrosive gases;
- cold air, wind, snow;
- sharp spices for dishes (mustard, horseradish);
- bright light, etc.
Also, physiological strengthening of lacrimation arises from strong emotional experiences (unexpected joy, laughter, grief, etc.). With catarrhal diseases with runny nose, lachrymation increases due to swelling of the nasal mucosa and the effect of infection.
In some cases, reflex lacrimation can be combined with pathological processes. For example, lachrymation in the cold, which is more frequent and more pronounced in the elderly, is provoked not only by exposure to cold itself, but can also be associated with changes in the qualitative composition of the tear, functional weakness of the lacrimal duct muscles, narrowing of lacrimal passages, etc.
The cause of pathological increased release of tear fluid associated with hyperlactin of the lacrimal glands may be inflammation of the eyelids, cornea or conjunctiva - bacterial, viral or allergic (conjunctivitis, keratitis, blepharitis , etc.). Lacrimation can also occur in people using contact lenses, due to poor care for them, the use of poor-quality solutions, violation of hygiene rules.
Excessive lacrimation caused by a violation of the outflow of tear fluid occurs when the "spent" lacrimal fluid does not enter the nasal cavity or drains there not in full. This is due to the narrowing of the lumen, as well as complete or partial obstruction of the tubules to drain tears due to the transmitted diseases of the visual system or traumatic injuries.
In rare cases, lacrimation may be caused by a congenital anomaly of the tear gland itself.
How to treat watery eyes?
Treatment of eye lacrimation should be carried out after diagnosis and establishing the cause that causes this phenomenon. This requires a thorough ophthalmologic examination with the help of various instruments and instruments, interviewing the patient. To investigate the patency of lacrimal passages, a special dye is used that is buried in the eyes, after which it is determined whether it passes into the nasal cavity and for how long.
If the disorder has a reflex character, is associated with exposure to allergens, then lacrimation, as a rule, passes
It should be borne in mind that there may be several causes of lacrimation (for example, lachrymation in the cold), so treatment should be conducted in several ways.
If lacrimation is associated with some diseases, then, first of all, the treatment of the underlying disease is performed. As a rule, various anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drops are prescribed for the eyes.
If there is a violation of the outflow of tear fluid due to constriction or obstruction of lacrimal passages, surgical treatment is used.