If you only have one eye watering (it may be crying with one eye), then there are reasons for this. We will tell you how serious they are and whether you should contact an ophthalmologist right away in this article.
Tearing/crying from one eye usually recommends a various list of possible causes compared to when this sign affects both eyes. One-sided tearing generally arises due to overproduction or impaired drainage of tears in the affected eye. A range of conditions can trigger this symptom and medical evaluation is required to precisely figure out the cause and finest treatment choices.
One Eye Crying Because of Eyeball Scratch or Foreign Body
Getting something in your eye generally causes sudden, one-sided tearing. This typically triggers a scratch on the eyeball surface area with associated discomfort, watering and inflammation. Although the perpetrator is often obvious, such as a bit of dirt or sand, this might not constantly hold true. For instance, you may have a stray inward-growing eyelash that scratches the eyeball surface area with each blink. A shallow eyeball scratch– recognized medically as a corneal abrasion– can also occur in the absence of a foreign body in your eye. An unexpected poke in the eye or using an unclean or split contact lens prevail offenders. Seek medical care right away for persistent tearing, particularly if you continue to feel as though something is in your eye.
One Eye Crying Because of Blocked Tear Drainage
Consistent, one-sided eye crying typically indicates an obstruction someplace in the tear drain system, likewise referred to as the nasolacrimal drainage system. Numerous conditions can cause such a clog, consisting of:
- Infection, frequently with staph or strep bacteria
- Age-related constriction of the tear ducts
- Blocked tear duct openings due to debris from eyelid flaking or cosmetics
- Nasolacrimal polyps or growths
- A nasolacrimal stone, or dacryolith
- Eye, eyelid or facial trauma, such as a damaged nose
Medical evaluation and diagnosis are needed as treatment for a clog of the nasolacrimal system depends on the underlying cause.
One Eye Crying Because of Eyelid Conditions
Several eyelid conditions can result in one-sided eye tearing. Infectious or noninfectious clog of an oil gland in an upper or lower eyelid– known as a hordeolum or stye, and chalazion, respectively– triggers a tender lump on the eyelid, which is often accompanied by some tearing. Application of warm compresses to the affected eye numerous times day-to-day typically clears these blockages.
Abnormal inward or outside rotation of the upper or lower eyelid often interferes with the balance between tear production and drainage resulting in a watery eye. Causes of this condition when affecting only one eye consist of:
- Bell palsy, a condition triggering momentary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face
- A stroke that causes weak point or paralysis of muscles on one side of the face
- Scarring from past eyelid injury or surgery
- A noncancerous, precancerous or cancerous eyelid growth.
What Else You Should Know
The conditions talked about cover numerous, but not all, of the possible causes of one-sided eye tearing. For example, people with migraines sometimes experience this sign. Eye tearing can likewise take place in addition to other symptoms with shingles impacting the eye, a sight-threatening condition. See your medical professional for any inexplicable, persistent eye tearing. Seek emergency healthcare if a cleaner or other chemical unintentionally splashes into your eye, or if you experience any warning signs or symptoms consisting of:
- Sudden weak point or paralysis of the facial muscles on one side of your face
- Burning, tingling, itching and/or a rash on one side of your forehead or surrounding one eye
- Severe or intensifying eye pain
- Sudden change in your vision.