What causes tearing when exposed to wind?
Disease description:
The wind has been a bit strong in the mountains these past couple of days. My eyes tend to tear up as soon as they're exposed to the wind, and I've also become somewhat sensitive to bright light. Could you please explain why this happens when facing the wind?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
Epiphora (tearing in the wind) typically occurs when the eyes are stimulated by cold air or wind, causing increased tear secretion from the lacrimal glands. When the tear drainage system cannot promptly remove the excess tears, they overflow from the eye sockets. This phenomenon may be related to various factors, including nasolacrimal duct narrowing, tear duct obstruction, chronic conjunctivitis, trachoma, and other eye conditions, as well as aging and loosening of ocular tissues. Additionally, prolonged eye strain and lack of sleep may exacerbate symptoms of tearing in the wind. If epiphora occurs, it is advisable to seek timely medical evaluation to rule out underlying eye diseases and take appropriate measures to relieve symptoms.
