When your eyes feel dry or irritated, your body might overcompensate with an influx of tears. But, while watery eyes might offer temporary relief, they don’t solve the underlying problem—which is often dry eyes.
Thankfully, managing dry eyes with at-home remedies is a great way to keep annoying symptoms, like watery eyes, at bay. Common strategies include:
- A warm compress mask
- Staying hydrated
- Artificial tears
- Adjusting your living space
- Taking breaks from digital screens
- Allergy management
Sometimes, these at-home strategies don’t cut it. In such cases, therapies like OptiLight and OptiPLUS offer an effective solution, addressing the root cause of dry eyes while rejuvenating the skin.
At See & Co, we take vision care to the next level, seamlessly blending dry eye therapies with skin aesthetics. An initial consultation is all it takes!
The Science Behind Watery Eyes
Watery eyes may seem counterintuitive, but they’re often your body’s natural response to dryness.
More than just helping you express complex emotions, tears play a functional role in maintaining good eye health. Tears comprise the tear film, which covers the surface of your eyes and protects them from irritants while keeping them moist.
A disruption in the tear film leads to a condition called dry eye.
When your eyes aren’t producing enough quality tears for lubrication, your glands overcompensate and produce an abundance of “reflex tears.” Reflex tears lack the oils and mucus necessary to keep your eyes moist, so they can’t solve the underlying problem of dryness.
At-Home Remedies for Watery Eyes
Your watery eyes most likely stem from dry eye. Although dry eye has no permanent cure, there are plenty of simple and effective at-home remedies.
Here are a few tried-and-true-solutions to help keep pesky symptoms, including watery eyes, under control:
Warm Compress
Apply a clean, warm cloth to your closed eyes for 5–10 minutes, then gently massage the area to help stimulate oil production and restore moisture balance.
This process helps unclog any disruption in the meibomian glands, a series of glands along the edges of your eyelids that secret the oils that are needed for a healthy tear film.
Stay Hydrated
Every system in your body depends on water. Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes and excess tearing.
Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day to support your body’s natural functions, including tear production. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses a day!
Artificial Tears
Artificial tears mimic the composition of natural tears, effectively hydrating your eyes.
With plenty of options on the market, opt for preservative-free gel drops for extra lubrication and to avoid further irritation.
Adjust Your Environment
Living in a dry or windy climate can also contribute to dryness. Plus, if the air conditioner or heating in your home is always running, this further dries out your living space, aggravating existing dry eye symptoms.
Use a humidifier to maintain solid moisture levels indoors. Sunglasses can also shield your eyes from wind and irritants when you’re outdoors.
Take Screen Breaks
Let’s face it, we all spend a lot of time staring at digital screens for work or leisure.
Unfortunately, we blink less frequently when staring at screens. Not to mention, digital eye strain can lead to fatigue and worsen dryness.
That’s why it’s important to take breaks when you can. The 20-20-20 rule is a great way to give your eyes some rest. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Opt for Allergy Management
A dry eye consultation can pinpoint the root cause of watery eyes. Sometimes, allergies prove to be the culprit.
Oral antihistamines can help manage your allergies by reducing inflammation and irritation. If possible, it also helps to remove potential allergens from your living space.
Your Guide to Advanced Dry Eye Therapies
At-home remedies are great, but may not always provide the relief you need. If your watery eyes persist, it’s time to explore advanced treatments.
That’s where OptiLight and OptiPLUS step in, seamlessly blending vision care with medical aesthetics.
OptiLight by Lumenis
OptiLight is an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy that targets the root cause of dry eyes by addressing the conditions that underlie inflammation.
OptiLight uses precise light pulses to reduce abnormal blood vessels and minimize the inflammatory response that contributes to chronic dry eye symptoms. Patients often see significant relief after just a few sessions.
This gentle and non-invasive treatment restores tear film balance, supports natural tear production, and offers comfort for long-lasting relief.
IPL technology can help reduce redness, even skin tone, and restore a radiant glow. Over time, you may notice fewer dark circles, reduced puffiness, and a fresher, brighter look.
It’s a double win for your eye health and your natural beauty!
OptiPLUS by Lumenis
OptiPLUS technology works similarly, effectively addressing the root cause of dry eyes while offering a rejuvenated and youthful appearance.
OptiPLUS uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to apply heat to clogs or blockages in the meibomian glands.
As a bonus, RF energy from OptiPLUS targets the skin’s surface and deeper layers, enhancing blood circulation, and stimulating collagen and elastin production, leaving your skin healthier than before!
Experience a Fresher You!
If you’ve tried multiple at-home dry eye remedies without success, or if your symptoms continue affecting your daily life, it’s time to seek professional care.
Persistent watery eyes could suggest a need for more advanced and targeted dry eye therapies. A dry eye consultation is the first step to lasting relief.
At See & Co, we believe in revolutionizing your vision care experience. Connect with our team to book an appointment. A fresher you await!
