Hello, I noticed some problems with my eyes and I was wondering if any of you knew what was wrong. I have good vision but since I was a little kid my eyes always seemed to tear easily. Things like, I can't hold my eyes open under water, my eyes always tear if winds blows in my face (like when I'm running) or even if I just look at someone with red eyes my eyes start to tear. Do any of you know about any of these problems or how to fx it? Thanks.

The things you are experiencing seem to be normal to me. Most people's eyes will water when it is very windy, and there are a lot of people, including me, who could never open their eyes under water. I'm not sure why your eyes would tear when you look at someone else with red eyes, but it doesn't sound serious to me. Sympathy pains, maybe? :)

If your eyes are very dry, they will not water at all when it is windy, because you won't have any tears. That is a reason to be concerned.

If your eyes water excessively, they may actually be dry. The easiest way I can explain that is to tell you that you have 3 layers of tears. Water, mucin, and lipids. If one of these layers is deficient, your eyes will be dry because your tears will roll right off of your eyeballs and then your eyes will water. Your eyes would be dry but at the same time, water. If you find that your eyes water a lot, not just when it is windy, then try getting some preservative free artificial tears such as Bion Tears or Thera Tears and putting them in a few times a day.

But it sounds to me like you are just experiencing normal reactions. :)

The things you are experiencing seem to be normal to me. Most people's eyes will water when it is very windy, and there are a lot of people, including me, who could never open their eyes under water. I'm not sure why your eyes would tear when you look at someone else with red eyes, but it doesn't sound serious to me. Sympathy pains, maybe? :)

If your eyes are very dry, they will not water at all when it is windy, because you won't have any tears. That is a reason to be concerned.

If your eyes water excessively, they may actually be dry. The easiest way I can explain that is to tell you that you have 3 layers of tears. Water, mucin, and lipids. If one of these layers is deficient, your eyes will be dry because your tears will roll right off of your eyeballs and then your eyes will water. Your eyes would be dry but at the same time, water. If you find that your eyes water a lot, not just when it is windy, then try getting some preservative free artificial tears such as Bion Tears or Thera Tears and putting them in a few times a day.

But it sounds to me like you are just experiencing normal reactions. :)

Thank you for replying.

I know it's been a while since I posted this but I have a few questions.

If my eyes are just dry like you said in the second part of your response, and eye drops aren't working, is there anything an eye doctor could do to help it? I've read breifly about tear ducts but I'm not sure if that would have anything to do with this.

Hmm I think your eyes may be extra sensitive like mine are especially if I am eating hot food or there is alot of chlorine in the pool or its a cold and windy day. Or your eyes could just be dry, but if this has become a problem for you I strongly suggest you go to an optom. and get it checked out.

Best thing is to have your eyes examined to determine if the oil glands are plugged. You may have blepharitis in the early stage.

If your eyes are really that dry, there are several things that an ophthalmologist could do to help. He/she could prescribe Restasis, which is an anti-inflammatory drop that helps the tear glands produce more of the watery layer of tears. You could get punctal plugs, which are microscopic pieces of silicone or collagen (collagen dissolves, silicone doesn't) that are inserted into your tear drainage ducts to block tears from draining out of your eyes. As someone else mentioned, you could have some clogged Meibomian glands, which are the oil producing glands in your eyelid. Since tears are made up of 3 layers, water, oil and mucus, if any of your meibomian glands are clogged that could produce a problem. It would cause any tears that you do have to roll right off of your eyeballs, like your eyes are watering. This happens because the oily layer helps the tears stick to the cornea. No oil (or less oil) and they roll right off. So if that is your problem the dr could have you use hot compresses and/or lid scrubs, and/or prescribe doxycycline. There are also several other eyedrops out there that an ophthalmologist could prescribe. Perhaps you just have a mild allergy. Do your eyes really bother you? Maybe like someone else said, you just have sensitive eyes. I listed some of the treatment options for you, but your best bet is to see a qualified eye physician and get an exam. That way you'll know exactly what, if anything at all, is wrong with your eyes and you'll be able to get treatment.

Good luck,
Elyse

Thank you for replying.

I'm going to go see an eye doctor soon. Do you know if any of the treatments you metioned will permently fix my eye problem, or are they just temporary solutions?

Well, if your eyes are dry and you were to get plugs and they work for you, your eyes would not be dry as long as the plugs are in. If you were to go on Restasis, it might get rid of whatever inflammation is causing your eyes to be dry. Nothing is really a permanent solution though. But we hope that dry eyes are just a temporary problem. In other words, the hope is that the dryness is just caused by an allergy or some other problem that can be quickly remedied.