From the Research
Your right eye watering when you're sleep deprived is likely due to eye strain and fatigue, which can be addressed by prioritizing 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night and using preservative-free artificial tears to lubricate your eyes. When you don't get enough sleep, your eyes can become dry and irritated, triggering your tear glands to overproduce tears as a compensatory mechanism 1. This can affect one eye more than the other, especially if you have any minor anatomical differences between your eyes.
To manage this condition, consider the following measures:
- Use preservative-free artificial tears like Systane Ultra or Refresh Tears 2-4 times daily to lubricate your eyes
- Take regular breaks from screens using the 20-20-20 rule (looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) to reduce eye strain 2
- Apply warm compresses to closed eyes for 5-10 minutes to stimulate proper oil production in your tear glands
- If the watering persists despite adequate sleep and these measures, consider consulting an eye doctor to rule out other causes like blocked tear ducts, allergies, or minor infections that might be exacerbated by sleep deprivation 3, 4
It's essential to note that while sleep deprivation can contribute to eye strain and fatigue, other underlying conditions may also be contributing to your symptoms. Therefore, if your symptoms persist, it's crucial to consult with an eye care professional to determine the best course of action.