Lachrymation. Causes and Treatment

Why do people need tears? Maybe we can do without them well? This thought sometimes comes to mind, especially when it starts to disturb lachrymation. The reasons for it are different. But first a little about how tears are formed.

Above, at the outer edge of the eye, there is a tear gland, which produces a liquid. Tears performs a protective function. They protect the eye from infection, with the help of them remove small mote. They moisturize the eyeball, protect the eyes from wind, cold, bright sun. But sometimes excessive formation of them causes lacrimation. The eye protects itself in this way. For example, in the wind, in the cold, in a room where there is a lot of smoke or irritating chemicals in the air.

Tears in increased amounts are produced with conjunctivitis - inflammation of the conjunctiva, or keratitis - inflammation of the cornea of the eye. There are other factors that cause lacrimation. The reasons may include the misuse of contact lenses, foreign bodies trapped in the eye, burns with ultraviolet rays, eye contact with chemicals, such as carcass or cream. Sometimes in tearing, the increased function of lacrimal glands is to blame.

Another group of causes is all that violates the normal outflow of tears. To remove excess tear fluid, there is a tear sack and the way it flows into the nasal passages. Disrupt the outflow may be injuries, inflammation, stones of the tear duct, swelling of the nasal mucosa in rhinitis. Young children also often have lachrymation. The reasons for it usually consist in the anatomical features of young children. But sometimes it is associated with dacryostenosis - a mucous plug, which did not have time to resolve after birth.

In elderly people, the location of lacrimal points changes with age - the holes of the tear duct. This is due to a violation of the elasticity of the skin of the eyelids. In the wind or in the cold begins lacrimation. In this case it is necessary to address to the ophthalmologist. If the patency of the lacrimal passages is impaired, only the removal of obstructions to the outflow of liquid will help. Sometimes the massage of the lacrimal sac helps. If it did not work, a small surgery or lavage of the lacrimal system would restore the correct outflow.

However, there are more serious reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon. These include dacryocystitis and traumatic pathways, through which the outflow of tear fluid occurs. Injuries to the nasal septum, if accompanied by its curvature, can also cause lacrimation. The reasons for these can be eliminated only in an ophthalmological hospital. Therefore, an appeal to the ophthalmologist is necessary.

In people after 50 years of lacrimation can develop due to a violation, which is called dry eye syndrome. Eyes begin to water in the light, with the wind, sometimes even for no apparent reason. This is due to the fact that due to age-related changes, the protective function of the tear film is impaired. Medical treatment of lacrimation with the help of replacing drops (vidisik, otagel, otolik) and others can help here. But in any case, you must first consult an ophthalmologist, who should clarify the diagnosis.

How to cope with the problem, in each case, the doctor should decide. First of all, infectious and inflammatory eye diseases, problems associated with wearing lenses, trauma and exposure to chemicals are excluded. If lacrimation is seasonal, it probably arises as an allergic reaction to pollen from plants. Allergist consultation will help here.

In any case, with lacrimation should be fought. Do not reconcile with him even at a very old age. I wish you good health and excellent vision!