Why Do Elderly Peoples Eyes Tend to Tear Frequently?
When we encounter many sad events, it is easy to tear up, which is an expression of negative emotions. However, many elderly people may also experience tearing even when their emotions are normal, and it may be a frequent occurrence. When encountering such situations, it is necessary to determine the cause as soon as possible, as it may be caused by a disease and must be taken seriously. So, what are the reasons for frequent tearing in elderly eyes? Let's take a look below.
1. Lacrimal duct inflammation and lacrimal gland lesions. Tears are produced by the lacrimal gland, a special organ in the human body that secretes tears. There are two small holes near the inner corner of the eyelids, called lacrimal puncta, and tears flow into the lacrimal duct through these two holes and eventually drain into the nasal cavity. Under normal conditions, the outflow of tears is an active "pumping" process. As people blink constantly, the eyelid muscles contract and relax, and tears are continuously "pumped" into the lacrimal duct. If the lacrimal gland is diseased or the eye is stimulated to increase tear secretion, or if the lacrimal duct is blocked due to disease, the position of the lacrimal puncta is abnormal, or the "pumping" function is reduced, it can lead to eye "waterlogging".
2. Eye diseases and attention to diagnosis. Chronic conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, chlamydiae, fungi, etc. Non-infectious chronic conjunctivitis is mainly related to the environment and eye habits, and its prevalence is increasing. Stimulation from wind, sand, dust, smoke, harmful gases, as well as frequent staying up late, lack of sleep, excessive smoking, eye fatigue, etc., can all lead to chronic conjunctivitis. Nasolacrimal duct blockage: The opening of the nasolacrimal duct is located near the lower eyelid of the nasal wing, and the outlet is in the nasal cavity. Once the nasolacrimal duct is blocked or narrowed, it will cause tears to accumulate continuously in the orbit because they cannot be drained. Bacteria from diseases such as trachoma, conjunctivitis, and chronic rhinitis can invade the nasolacrimal duct, causing inflammation of the nasolacrimal duct mucosa, resulting in blockage and gradually developing into chronic dacryocystitis. Snow blindness, also known as photokeratitis, is mainly caused by strong ultraviolet light from the sun reflecting from a large area of snow onto the cornea of the eye, resulting in corneal damage. Snow blindness causes photophobia, tearing, redness, pain, intense itching, and a foreign body sensation in the eye. The above-mentioned diseases are the most common causes of frequent tearing in the eyes. In addition, keratitis, trachoma, conjunctival relaxation syndrome, etc., may also cause frequent tearing in the eyes.
3. Eyelid relaxation and muscle degeneration. In fact, the number of elderly patients with tearing symptoms due to lacrimal duct inflammation and blockage is decreasing. The cases of tearing due to eye diseases (such as trachoma, trichiasis, keratitis, etc.) are not too numerous either. The lacrimal ducts of these elderly patients are unobstructed, and there are no obvious lesions in their eyes. The main reason for their frequent tearing is eyelid relaxation and degenerative changes in the muscles. In addition, relaxation of the conjunctiva can also lead to tears not being distributed and flowing normally and directly draining outside the eye, which is also an important cause of tearing in the elderly.
4. Dry eye and uneven distribution. The surface of the human eyeball is like a floor. Under normal conditions, there should be a layer of "wax" on its surface; otherwise, the surface will not be very smooth and may feel rough. If our eyes have this naturally secreted "lubricant," tears can be evenly distributed on the surface of the eyeball. However, if this "lubricant" is not secreted sufficiently, the distribution of tears on the eyeball will be uneven, with some areas being wet and others being dry. In areas without the "lubricant," people may feel as if there is sand in their eyes, causing discomfort and tearing.
