Watery eyes are the result of excess tears on the ocular surface.
It is an annoying and relatively common problem, which is why it is a common reason for visits to the ophthalmologist.
The tear film is necessary to keep the eyes lubricated, eliminate allergens, and protect them from external agents.
However, when normal blinking cannot properly drain tears, watery eyes or what is medically known as epiphora occur.
Watery eyes are usually accompanied by other discomforts, such as excess mucus, runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, eye irritation and redness, a foreign body sensation in the eye, and blurred vision.
If tears accumulate in the tear duct and become infected, swelling and pain in the inner corner of the eye may also occur.
In watery eyes, the causes can be very varied and even converge with each other.
Depending on the cause of this excessive tearing, one treatment or another will be necessary , so you should go to the ophthalmologist for evaluation.
Why do eyes cry?
The causes of watery eyes are diverse, but the most common are the following:
- Tear duct obstruction. Watery eyes can occur when the tear duct becomes blocked for some reason (bacterial infection, blepharitis, trauma, etc.) and prevents normal tear drainage. This causes fluid to accumulate and overflow onto the surface of the eye. There are two types of obstructions: congenital and acquired. Eye infections in babies are very common and are usually due to a congenital tear duct obstruction. This anomaly is present in up to 30 percent of newborns, but usually resolves spontaneously within a few months of life. Eyes in older people are also quite common, but they are acquired. That is, they are acquired for a specific reason, such as a mechanical obstruction at any level or a functional limitation (for example, facial paralysis).
- Infectious conjunctivitis. Another of the most common causes of watery eyes is bacterial eye infections. This is a highly contagious condition, and in addition to watery eyes, it can also cause eye discharge, itching, and redness.
- Dry eyes. Dry eye syndrome can also cause tearing. When tears are low or don’t perform their function efficiently, the eyes react by excessively increasing their production.
Tear duct obstruction, conjunctivitis, dry eyes, blepharitis, allergies, and eye strain can all cause watery eyes.
- Blepharitis. Watery eyes can be a symptom of eyelid inflammation. If so, the watery eyes are often accompanied by eyelid irritation and redness, the appearance of dandruff or crusting on the eyelashes, and a foreign body sensation when blinking. Blepharitis can also cause eyelash loss and be associated with a type of rosacea that primarily affects the eyes.
- Eye allergies. When the eyes overreact to a substance (allergen), excessive tearing occurs, and the eyelids and eyeball become red, swollen, and burning and itching. Light sensitivity (photophobia) and a foreign body sensation may also occur. In the case of watery eyes due to allergies, the most common allergens are pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold.
- Eye strain. Overstraining your eyes is another possible cause of watery eyes and headaches. This can occur when you have to maintain high visual focus for long hours (surgeons, jewelers, etc.), read without pausing (for example, students during exam periods), drive long distances (transportation drivers, taxi drivers, etc.), experience excessive or insufficient light, or when your eyes become dry due to cooling and heating systems. However, this visual impairment is currently one of the main consequences of screen use on eye health. Other discomforts associated with eye strain include a feeling of tension, pain, or itching in the eyes, heavy eyelids, an increased need to blink, blurred or double vision, and even dizziness.
- Respiratory infections. An itchy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes can be symptoms of allergies, but also of respiratory tract infections. Respiratory infections in children are a common cause of eye discomfort, such as irritation and excessive tearing. Colds, the flu, and other respiratory tract infections can also cause watery eyes in babies.
- Vision problems. Poorly corrected or undiagnosed refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia can also cause watery eyes and blurred vision. Other warning signs that could indicate a vision problem include seeing a halo or glare around bright lights, having to squint to focus, experiencing headaches, eye strain, and trouble focusing when reading or looking at a computer.
Other less common causes of watery eyes include corneal damage, eyelid edema, and tear sac infections. Watery eyes may also occur after cataract surgery due to the temporary dryness that the procedure may cause.
Watery eyes: the treatment
The answer to how to resolve watery eyes will depend on the cause. This is why a proper diagnosis is so important.
Still, most of the time watery eyes are caused by bad habits or preventable conditions.
- Dry eyes from contact lenses and poor handling of contact lenses can cause dry eyes and bacterial conjunctivitis.
Therefore, they must be used properly (respecting the recommended usage time, replacing them when necessary, etc.), always wash your hands before putting them on, and clean and disinfect them before and after use.
- Adopting habits that help control dry eye syndrome is key to preventing watery eyes. These include avoiding triggering factors (dry air, wind, etc.) and using preservative-free artificial tears.
- You should not rub your eyes or touch them with dirty hands.
- Eye protection is essential during sports and work activities where there is a risk of eye trauma.
- Swimming pools, especially highly chlorinated ones, can irritate the eyes and cause watering. For this reason, it’s advisable to wear swimming goggles when swimming.
- Personal eye care products such as cosmetics, makeup, and contact lenses should never be shared. Even pillows and towels can spread eye infections.
- Maintaining good eyelid hygiene is essential, especially in cases of blepharitis or other skin conditions. This includes removing makeup every night before going to sleep.
- Contact lenses or glasses should be worn whenever needed, and measures should be taken to prevent eye strain.
- If you experience allergies and watery eyes, you should try to avoid exposure to the allergens that cause them. Your allergist can also prescribe preventive allergy treatment.
- It is advisable to visit the ophthalmologist once a year to check your general eye health and assess whether there are any vision problems.
These tips on how to relieve watery eyes can sometimes be insufficient when the watering is constant.
In these cases, excess tears are usually due to a blockage in the tear ducts, and surgery is almost always necessary.
Sometimes, more conservative procedures such as botulinum toxin treatment in the tear duct or silicone intubation may be attempted first.