Watery eyes can be caused by many things – from allergies to bacterial infections. Regardless of what is bothering your eyes, there are several things you can do to stop them from watering. Common remedies include washing your eyes, using eye drops, and using a warm compress. If you want to get rid of watery eyes, try these home remedies right away and then you will be able to reduce the symptoms of watery eyes.
1. Frequent Rinsing
If you have something stuck in your eye, it may be causing that eye to water. Do not try to pull a foreign object out of your eye with your fingers or tweezers. To remove a foreign object from your eye, you will need to wash your eye. Frequent rinsing will help clear the foreign body or chemical from your eyes, which in turn will reduce the symptoms.
- Gently wash your eyes. Make sure that while washing your eyes, your hands are properly cleaned. You just need to hold your eye open under a gentle stream of lukewarm running water. You can also use an eyewash station or an eyecup to wash your eyes.
- Do not rub your eyes which may cause damage to your eye.
2. Warm Salt Water
Warm compresses help remove crust from the eyes while also working to loosen up any toxins that might be blocking your tear ducts. They also help reduce the redness and irritation that often comes with watery eyes. The heat from the compress increases blood circulation to the area, soothes eye irritation and provides relief from the symptoms.
- Soak a clean cotton washcloth in warm salt water.
- Then use it to wipe your watery eyes.
Actually, this home remedy will help relieve your eye allergies as the salt water has the ability to fight against histamines that may cause the initial reaction.
Alternatively, you might use mere warm water as well, since it will also help relieving the symptoms.
3. Tea Bag Compresses
Compressing with warm water may relieve the symptoms of watery eyes. However, you may also try warm herbal tea bags as different methods of compression.
Green tea bags, which contain bioflavonoids that boost your internal health and fight off infection, can be used for treatment (1). Its revitalizing effect shall soon be visible.
- Place a tea bag in boiling water
- Remove and allow to cool to the touch before placing on the eye.
- You can also soak a clean cloth in the brewed green tea to place on your watery eye.
You may even use black tea bags after cooling them in the refrigerator.
You can also use chamomile or chamomile tea bags. Chamomile has traditionally been used to tackle conjunctivitis and other eye infections that can cause epiphora (2). It is also claimed to relieve pain.
In fact, it inhibits the release of histamine, which helps prevent an allergic reaction that can lead to itchiness and infection in the eyes.
You can eyewash with the water in which you boiled the chamomile or you may just apply a warm or cold compress with the teabags.
4. Honey and Water
Another home remedy for watery eyes can be diluted honey. In its pasteurized and unpasteurized state, honey possesses antibacterial and antibiotic properties and can be used to treat your eye infection (3).
- To two cups of boiling water, add two to three tablespoon of honey and stir well until dissolved.
- Let the mixture cool down for some time and use it to wash the eyes several times a day.
- You can also make an eye drop out of this. Just pour few drops of diluted honey in your eyes two times in a day
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of best cures for pink eye, which is one of the main causes of epiphora. Its antimicrobial properties help fight bacterial infections, one of the key causes of pink eye.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to ½ cup of boiled and cooled water.
- Dip a cotton ball in this solution and apply the solution to the infected eye (use 2 cotton balls if both eyes are infected).
6. Baking Soda and Cold Water
A table spoon of baking soda dissolved in a cup of cold water can be used as an eyewash. Use this water to wash your eyes three to four times a day to soothe the infection, reduce swelling and effectively relieve symptoms of watery eyes.
7. Castor Oil
Castor oil contains powerful fatty acids and other antioxidants that can benefit your eyes. The anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil (thanks to the ricinoleic acid) help reduce redness and swelling of the eyes.
- Purchase a clean dropper and wash it properly with soapy water.
- Suck the 100% organic cold pressed castor oil for eyes (the one recommended by your doctor) into the clean dropper.
- Administer just one drop into each eye before going to sleep. Though your vision might turn cloudy, it will subside by the time you wake up the next morning.
You can do this once every night until your allergies or watery eyes subside.
8. Flax Seeds and Warm Water
Flax seeds have rich omega-3 fatty acids that possess the ability to build body’s immunity against infection and reduce free radicals content in the body.
- Add two teaspoons of flax seeds to a small cup of boiled warm water.
- Let the mixture stay for fifteen to twenty minutes.
- Afterwards, strain the seeds and transfer them to a clean and soft wash cloth or cheese cloth and press it to your eyes.
- Repeat this two to three times a day until you see a visual reduction in the symptoms.
9. Rose Water
Rose water contains powerful antiseptic properties that can prevent different types of eye infections that lead to watery eyes (4).
- Use a dropper to put few drops of rose water in your eyes. Repeat it twice in a day.
- Alternately mix equal amount of rose water and distilled water and rinse your eye regularly with this mixture to get rid of watery eyes.
10. Stay Hydrated
When it comes to home remedies for watery eyes from allergies, you should try to drink plenty of water as soon as possible. If your watery eyes are caused by eye dryness, the best way to treat your watery eyes is to rehydrate the body and eyes by drinking plenty of water.