I should have known better. The moment I started slicing the onions, my eyes began their usual protest. First a sting, then a blur, and within seconds, tears I didn’t ask for. Cooking dinner suddenly felt like an emotional moment for no reason at all.
Later, I explained this to a patient who thought something was wrong with her eyes. I reassured her—onions release a gas that irritates the eyes and triggers tears as a protective response. Your eyes are simply trying to wash the irritation away.
Still, there are ways to make peace with onions. Chilling them before cutting can reduce the sting. Using a sharp knife helps release fewer irritants. Some people even wear glasses while chopping to shield their eyes.
So no, your eyes aren’t overreacting. They’re doing their job—protecting you, even in the kitchen. Sometimes, watery eyes just mean your defenses are working perfectly.