The watery component of tears is produced in the lacrimal glands near the eye and is essential for healthy eyes, keeping the eyes cleansed, protected and lubricated. Tears drain through the nasal cavity, which explains a runny nose after excess tear production.
There are three types of tears:
Basal tears, which provide a constant film of tears to keep the eye moist.
Reflex tears, which protect the eyes when they are exposed to irritants such as smoke or come into contact with a foreign body.
Emotional tears, which are produced in response to a strong emotion.
With emotional tears, the lacrimal glands are sent into overdrive, producing a continuous flow of watery tears. The fine tissues around your eyes absorb some of the overflow of tears, causing the eyes to become temporarily puffy and swollen.
In addition, the autonomic nervous system responds to strong emotion, such as the urge to cry, by increasing blood flow to the face, further contributing to the appearance of swollen eyes.
While having swollen and puffy eyes after lengthy crying can be an unwanted tell-tale side effect, it’s not all bad news. Experts say “having a good cry” can make you feel physically and emotionally better and that crying is the body’s way of eliminating toxins caused during times of elevated stress.
Treatment of swollen eyes
Treatment of swollen eyelids depends on the underlying cause. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist may prescribe medication or recommend over-the-counter remedies such as eye drops.
Generally, if your swollen eyes are due to allergies, antihistamine eye drops or oral allergy medication, as well as lubricating “artificial tears” will help relieve symptoms.
Your Eye Care Professional also may recommend mild steroid drops for more severe allergic reactions.
Other causes, such as infections like conjunctivitis or ocular herpes, respond well to anti-viral or anti-inflammatory eye drops, and ointments, or antibiotics.
Minor bouts of swollen eyelids can be eased with home remedies. First and foremost, avoid rubbing your eyes as this will only aggravate your condition.
If you have photophobia (light sensitivity) associated with chronic eyelid inflammation, photochromic lenses can help reduce light sensitivity. Also, if you wear contact lenses, remove them until the eyelid swelling resolves.
Applying a cool compress sometimes can reduce eyelid swelling, as well as splashes of cold water to your closed lids.
If symptoms continue or worsen, or if you experience any pain in your eye, see your Eye Care Professional immediately to rule out a more sinister cause of your swollen eyes.
4 tips for preventing swollen eyes:
Get tested for allergies. If swollen eyelids and other symptoms of allergies are a regular occurrence, get yourself allergy tested. By knowing what you’re allergic to, you can try to avoid specific allergens or, at the very least, minimize your exposure to them.
Choose makeup and other beauty products that are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free to help avoid allergic flare-ups. You can also do a patch test on the inside of your wrist before using the makeup on your face to rule out any allergic reaction.
When using eye drops, look for preservative-free eye drops. While preservatives in regular eye drops inhibit bacterial growth, some people are allergic to these preservatives.
If you wear contact lenses, you can minimize your risk
of eye infection or irritation by practicing proper hygiene techniques, including frequent replacement of your contact lenses and contact lens case.
Source: https://valueyoureyes.co.za/2020/06/14/why-do-eyes-swell-after-crying/