The doctor explains that many people experience a natural narrowing and loss of elasticity of the tear ducts as they age, which hinders normal tear drainage and causes tears to stagnate. Additionally, drooping eyelids and weakened eyelid skin can prevent the eyes from closing completely during sleep, leading to corneal dryness.
According to the doctor, in this case the body responds by increasing tear production in what is known as "reflex tears," or tearing may occur as a result of decreased activity of the tear glands responsible for lubrication.
He says: "A decrease in tear production or a change in their composition leads to what is known as dry eye syndrome . Although this seems paradoxical, it actually causes an increase in tearing."
In such cases, the eye produces large quantities of the watery part of the tears, but it lacks the fatty and mucous components that give it stability and keep the eye moist in a balanced way.
For her part, ophthalmologist Svetlana Mirgorodskaya pointed out that the feeling of sand in the eye or burning is often associated with irritation of the mucous membrane or a minor inflammation, but the most common cause is dry eye syndrome, especially among the elderly or those who use electronic devices for long periods.
