Why Do My Eyes Tear Up at Night While Sleeping?

Most of the tears at night during sleep are caused by physiological reasons. That is to say, neglecting eye hygiene and eyestrain due to excessive use of eyes often lead to tears. Of course, it may also be related to some diseases, such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, etc. Frequent irritation caused by bacterial infection can also lead to tears during sleep. Let's briefly understand what causes tears in the eyes during sleep at night.

Tears during sleep at night are often caused by excessive eye use and long-term exposure to computers and mobile phones, leading to eye fatigue. It is recommended to use eye drops to relieve fatigue. If the effect is not good, it is recommended to go to the ophthalmology department for examination.

2.1 External factors: Some people may tear up due to external stimulation of the lacrimal glands, such as cold air or wind, which can cause reflexive secretion and increased tearing. However, excessive tears cannot be promptly drained by the lacrimal passages and flow out of the eyelids, causing tears. This condition is physiological tearing and does not require treatment.

2.2 Chronic inflammation: Diseases such as conjunctivitis, trachoma, trauma, foreign bodies, and tumors can cause narrowing or incomplete blockage of the lacrimal passages, reducing tear drainage function. This results in normal tears not being able to flow completely into the nasal cavity and instead spilling out of the eyelids, causing tears. This condition is organic tearing and should be promptly examined by a doctor. It is also recommended to supplement lutein esters, anthocyanins, and carotenoids to restore eye organ function.

2.3 Lacrimal passage inflammation and lacrimal gland lesions: Under normal conditions, the outflow of tears is an active "pumping" process. As people blink, the eyelid muscles contract and relax, continuously "pumping" tears into the lacrimal passages. If the lacrimal glands are diseased or the eyes are stimulated to increase tear secretion, or if the lacrimal passages are blocked due to disease, the position of the lacrimal punctum is abnormal, or the "pumping" function is reduced, it can lead to eye "waterlogging".

2.4 Dry eye syndrome: Dry eye syndrome reduces basic tear secretion, leading to dry and uncomfortable eyes. If the surface of the eyeball is damaged, the eyes will reflexively produce a large amount of tears. Menopausal women, patients with allergic conjunctivitis, individuals who had trachoma when they were younger, and those with corneal scars are prone to tearing due to dry eye syndrome. Additionally, older adults may also experience tearing due to dry eyeballs, especially in dry climates.

2.5 Snow blindness, also known as photokeratitis, is mainly caused by strong ultraviolet light from the sun reflecting from large areas of snow and damaging the cornea of the eye. Symptoms of snow blindness include photophobia, tearing, redness, pain, intense itching, and a foreign body sensation in the eye.