Crying is a natural response to emotions like sadness, pain, or stress. While crying can often make you feel better, crying too much can lead to irritated, bloodshot eyes and other problems.
Why Do Your Eyes Get Irritated When You Cry?
When you cry, your tears contain water and salts that help keep your eyes lubricated. However, crying excessively can wash away this lubrication and disrupt the natural balance in your eyes.
Here are some of the main reasons why your eyes may get irritated when you cry too much:
- Removal of protective tears film – Your tears help maintain a protective film over the surface of your eyes. Excessive crying can wash away this film and expose your eyes to irritation.
- Increased tear evaporation – Tears normally evaporate from your eyes at a steady rate to maintain moisture. More tears means quicker evaporation, which can dry your eyes out.
- Irritation from tear salts – Tears contain salts and proteins that may irritate your eyes when they build up due to excessive crying.
- Swelling and bloodshot eyes – The physical act of crying can cause blood vessels in your eyes to swell and rupture, leading to red, bloodshot eyes.
Common Eye Problems from Crying Too Much
If you cry too often, you may experience some of these common eye issues:
Dry, Irritated Eyes
When you cry, your tear glands go into overdrive producing more tears than normal. This overproduction can leave your eyes lacking sufficient lubricating tears between crying spells. Symptoms include stinging, burning, and gritty eyes.
Bloodshot Eyes
Forceful crying can burst tiny blood vessels on the surface of your eyes. This causes the white parts of your eyes to appear red or bloodshot. Though harmless, it can look concerning.
Swollen Eyes and Eyelids
The rubbing and irritation from frequent crying can cause fluid retention and swelling around your eyes. Your eyelids may appear puffy and swollen.
Blurry Vision
Excessive tears can temporarily change the normal curvature of your eyes. Combined with eye irritation, this can result in temporary vision changes like blurriness when crying.
Increased Eye Infections
Rubbing your eyes while crying can introduce germs and bacteria into your eyes. This can increase your risk of eye infections like pink eye (conjunctivitis).
Long Term Effects of Crying on Your Eyes
Frequent crying episodes can have other long-lasting effects on your eye health. Some potential long term effects include:
- Chronic dry eyes – Long term disruption of your tear film can lead to chronically dry, irritated eyes.
- Corneal scarring – Rubbing your eyes excessively while crying can damage the cornea and cause scarring.
- Wrinkles – Squinting and rubbing when you cry can promote wrinkles around your eyes over time.
- Vision changes – Regular eye irritation and swelling may gradually impact your vision.
How to Soothe Irritated Eyes from Crying
If your eyes are frequently red and irritated from crying, here are some tips to help soothe them:
Use Artificial Tears
Applying artificial tear drops or gels can help replenish moisture, reduce irritation, and restore eye comfort. Preservative-free varieties are ideal.
Try a Warm Compress
Placing a clean, warm washcloth over your closed eyes helps stimulate tear production and soothe eye irritation.
Limit Eye Rubbing
Rubbing your eyes tends to worsen irritation. Try to avoid excess eye rubbing when crying.
Take Breaks from Screens
Looking at screens can exacerbate dry, irritated eyes from crying. Take frequent breaks from digital devices to give your eyes rest.
Use Sunglasses Outdoors
Wraparound sunglasses can protect sensitive eyes from sun, wind, and other irritants after crying episodes.
Add Moisture to the Air
Using room air humidifiers can introduce soothing moisture into the air and prevent tear film evaporation.
Rinse with Saline Solution
Rinsing your eyes with sterile saline solution can help remove irritants and provide temporary relief.
When to See a Doctor
You should make an appointment with your eye doctor or optometrist if you experience:
- No relief from eye irritation after crying
- Increased eye redness or pain
- Worsened vision problems
- Eye discharge or excessive crusting
- Recurring eye infections
These could signal an underlying eye condition that requires professional treatment. It’s also a good idea to discuss any chronic issues you have with dry, irritated eyes.
Conclusion
Crying frequently can certainly leave your eyes irritated, dry, swollen, and bloodshot. However, taking the right precautions can help soothe your eyes and prevent long-lasting damage.
Try using artificial tears to supplement your natural tears after crying episodes. Warm compresses, eye breaks, and sunglasses also help reduce eye irritation. See an eye doctor promptly if you have any worsening vision changes or recurring eye infections.
With some care for your eyes, you can cry as much as you need to while minimizing negative effects on your eye health and vision.