Reason
Ms. Lalita Arya, Vice President of Derma Puritys Cosmetic Clinic (India) said that watery eyes can appear due to a reaction to exposure to sunlight.
“Reflex tears are essential for the body as they help protect the eyes from any damage caused by UV rays or excessive bright light. However, they can also be a symptom of other underlying problems such as dry eye syndrome and allergies or in cases of blocked tear ducts,” says Lalita Arya.
Sharing the same opinion, Dr. Monica Kapoor, Director of Flawless Cosmetic Clinic and ILACAD Institute (India) - added that the most common reason for watery eyes is due to a reflex from the lacrimal gland, when strong light triggers an automatic response to protect the eyes by producing tears.
“If the watery eyes are persistent, accompanied by pain, redness, or changes in vision, it could be a sign of a more serious problem such as keratitis or conjunctivitis. You should consult an ophthalmologist,” advises Dr. Monica Kapoor.
Many people experience watery eyes due to light sensitivity or photophobia. When the eyes are overly sensitive to light, this can lead to excessive tearing, squinting, and general discomfort.
This condition can be diagnosed through an eye exam, in which an eye specialist will check how the eyes react to light and other conditions such as migraines, dry eyes or a defective cornea.
Prevention
Dr Monica Kapoor explains that certain environmental factors such as high UV exposure, windy conditions and pollution can make people more susceptible to watery eyes when exposed to sunlight.
Or lifestyle factors like spending long hours outdoors, excessive screen time, and dry indoor environments can also aggravate dry eyes, leading to more watery eyes when exposed to sunlight.
To minimize these effects, people should wear protective eyewear, use a humidifier in the home, and take frequent breaks and limit screen time to reduce eye strain.
To prevent such factors, Ms. Lalita Arya said, one should wear sunglasses with full UV protection, use protective eye drops and avoid exposure to harsh environments as much as possible.
In addition, using artificial tears or lubricating eye drops helps regulate moisture on the eye surface, preventing excessive tear production.
